Southern Illinois University
4-11, 0-7MVC
Indiana St
13-3, 6-1MVC
Women's Basketball Loses to Indiana State, 80-61
01/25/2003 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 25, 2003
Carbondale, Ill. - Melanie Boeglin and Kourtney Mennen each scored 16 points to lead five players in double figures, as Indiana State (13-3, 6-1) defeated Southern Illinois (4-11, 0-7), 80-61, earlier today at SIU Arena.
The win marked ISU's sixth straight against SIU and fifth in a row on the Salukis' homecourt. The Sycamores also remained atop the league standings, posting their fifth consecutive road win over a MVC opponent.
Tied 12-12 with 14:43 left in the first half, ISU went on a 16-0 run thanks to a smothering full-court press. The raging Sycamore defense forced the Salukis into eight turnovers in a 4:05 span.
ISU, who seemed to find a way into most of the Salukis' passing lanes, stole the ball eight times, including five in 1:30. SIU also committed six turnovers and didn't get the ball past halfcourt during that stretch.
Mennen cashed in six points off a pair of steals to lead the storm, which gave ISU a 28-12 lead with 10:38 left to play.
Following the surge, ISU outscored SIU 20-15 over the remainder of the half, which saw both Lisa (2) and Jessica (1) Verhoff combine for three 3-pointers. ISU also made 7-of-7 free throws, which added to a perfect 17-of-17 mark, as the Sycamores led 48-27 at the break.
Trailing 55-40 with 15:12 left in the second half, SIU used a 9-5 run to cut the ISU lead to 60-49. Following a media timeout, Dana Pinkston hit a three-pointer and Tiffany Crutcher sunk three baskets. Molly McDowell then pitched in a deuce and Danette Jones chipped in five points, including a trey to cap off the rally (11:35).
SIU, however, couldn't chop the lead down to anything less than 11, as ISU finished with a final 20-12 jaunt to close out the 80-61 win.
Most of ISU's points came at the free throw line, where the Sycamores shot 34-of-38 (.895) compared to SIU's 5-of-7 (.714). In addition to the considerable difference in free tosses, what also helped key ISU's win was that the Sycamores appeared to have fresh legs on the court at all times. In fact, seven of the Sycamores' 10 players contributed 15 or more minutes.
Mennen finished 3-of-6 from the field and 5-of-5 at the free throw line, while Boeglin made 3-of-6 field goals and 10-of-12 free throws. L. Verhoff followed with 12 points, while Celeste Hlebovy chipped in 11 and Kristin Stewart added 10 to round out the Sycamores' balanced scoring attack.
SIU was led by McDowell who registered a double-double 18 points and 11 assists. McDowell's career-high 11 dishes, surpassed a previous mark of eight, done at Eastern Illinois on Dec. 7.
Pinkston, who scored all of her points in the second half, finished with 13 points, while Jones added 10.
Additionally, SIU committed a season-high 32 turnovers, marking the second time this year the Salukis have posted 30 or more miscues.
SIU will conclude its three-game homestand on Tuesday, Jan. 28, when it hosts Middle Tennessee State in a non-conference matchup beginning at 7:05 p.m.
