Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Wichita St
Women's Basketball Falls to Wichita State, Drops 13th Straight
02/08/2002 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 8, 2002
Carbondale, Ill. - Senior forward Jennifer Kaczka scored 30 points as all five starters scored in double figures to lead Wichita State (9-12, 4-8) to a 85-70 win over Southern Illinois (4-16, 0-11) earlier tonight at SIU Arena.
The win snapped a five-game losing streak for Wichita State as Kaczka's performance told the story. She hit 11-of-15 from the field and 7-of-8 from the free throw line, to go along with 13 rebounds.
Wichita State jumped out to a 23-8 lead in the first half as Kaczka accounted for 12 points to fuel the spurt.
SIU, who went without a basket for 5:01 during the Shocker rout, then answered with a 12-0 run sparked by seven Holly Teague points. Following the jaunt, the Salukis trailed just 23-20 with 7:38 left to play.
Both teams battled to a 14-14 tie in the last 7:38 to bring the opening stanza to a 37-34 close in favor of the Shockers.
SIU kept clawing its way back into the game in the second half, but couldn't bring the Wichita State lead to under three points.
After a jumper by Geshla Woodard cut the Shocker lead to 39-36 just 53 seconds into the half, clutch free throw shooting would allow Wichita State to pull away.
Leading 69-60 with 5:26 remaining, the Shockers hit eight free throws down the stretch which helped lift them to a 83-68 lead. In addition to its freebees, Wichita State also used a 9-4 run in the last 55 seconds to complete the 85-70 win.
Kaczka, who needed 16 points to become Wichita State's third all-time leading scorer, nearly doubled that mark as she dominated inside the paint. Tisharria Huggins (15), Alisha Cade (13), Jessica Smith (12) and Carlesa Dixon (11) then rounded out the Shocker starting five posting double-digits.
Teague shot 8-of-17 from the field and 6-of-6 from the free throw line en route to a career high 24 points to lead the Salukis. Molly McDowell also had 11 points, while Woodard chipped in 10 to help pace SIU.
The Salukis will return to action on Sunday, Feb. 10 when they host 2001 Final Four participant Southwest Missouri State at 2:05 p.m.
Sunday's game will be highlighted by a Subway Promotion which will enable fans to get free admission to the game through eight Subway locations. Two tickets per customer will be made available at the Carbondale, Murphysboro, Carterville, DuQuoin and Benton locations with no purchase necessary.
