Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Bradley
Women's Basketball Falls to Bradley, 70-48
02/23/2002 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 23, 2002
Carbondale, Ill. - Sara Bailey scored 16 points, while Va'Nicia Waterman added 11 to lead Bradley (15-10, 6-10) to a 70-48 win over Southern Illinois (6-19, 2-14) earlier today at SIU Arena. Bradley, who became the fifth league foe to sweep SIU this season, spoiled what was left of the Salukis' MVC postseason tournament hopes.
For Bradley, the win marked its fifth in 41 meetings against SIU as the Braves extended their winning streak over the Salukis to three games.
SIU, who never led in the game, turned the ball over 12 times in the first 7:37 of the game as the Bradley defense enabled the Braves to take control early with a 17-4 lead. Bailey had four of the Braves' 10 steals during the surge which ended on a jumper by Dena Williams.
Following the Bradley stunner, SIU could not recover as the Braves outscored the Salukis 22-12 in the final 12:18 of the first half to take a 39-16 lead at the break.
The second half was not much different from the first as SIU continued to have problems against the Braves' pressing defense.
After a sluggish start which saw both teams combine to score three points in the first 4:54 of the closing stanza, Bradley found its groove once again and managed to build its biggest lead of the game at 65-36 on a Waterman three-pointer with 4:05 left to play.
From that point on, SIU could not cut the Bradley lead to less than 20 points as the Braves cruised to the 70-48 win.
Bailey shot 5-of-12 from the field and 4-of-6 from the free throw line to lead all Bradley scorers. Waterman then followed with a 4-of-5 field goals which included a perfect 2-of-2 from downtown.
SIU was led by Tiffany Crutcher who scored a career-high 18 points en route to posting a double-double. Crutcher also grabbed 10 rebounds, including six on the offensive end. Holly Teague also netted 14 points to help pace the Dawgs.
The Salukis, who just couldn't get things going from the opening tip, turned the ball over 30 times and shot just 28 percent (16-of-57) from the field for the game.
Following the game, SIU honored seniors Geshla Woodard and Teague who suited up for their last game at SIU Arena. Both were asked what they would miss most about their time at SIU.
"I will miss the team, the road trips and the game itself," said Teague. "I am going to be around here helping as much as I can next year, but I will definitely miss playing the game the most."
"My career went so fast here and it didn't actually hit me until today how much I will miss being here," added Woodard. "SIU has been my home away from home since I came from so far away."
SIU will close out its 2001-02 season with its final two-game road swing beginning with Drake on Feb. 28. Tip off is set for 7:05 p.m.
