Southern Illinois University
4-12
Middle Tenn St
11-9
Women's Basketball Falls to Middle Tennessee State, 87-63
01/28/2003 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 28, 2003
Carbondale, Ill. - Middle Tennessee State (11-9) outscored Southern Illinois (4-12) 46-27 in the second half to post a 87-63 non-conference win earlier tonight at SIU Arena. The Salukis hit a chilling nine field goals in 30 attempts over the game's final 20 minutes of play.
Both teams traded baskets en route to seven ties in the opening 8:55 of the first half. Deadlocked at 17-17 after a Jennifer Justice layup (11:05), MTSU went on a 17-7 run to take a 34-24 lead with 6:20 left to play. Patrice Holmes scored six points to lead the charge, which saw five Lady Raiders contribute.
SIU answered the MTSU attack with a 8-0 surge in which the Lady Raiders went four minutes without a bucket. Katie Berwanger (5:57) and Tiffany Crutcher (4:25) each scored in the paint, while Chris Perry and Megan Miller knocked down two free throws apiece. Miller's tosses narrowed the Lady Raiders' lead to 34-32 with 2:47 remaining.
However, a Holmes steal and layup (2:20) suddenly ended the Lady Raiders' drought, and MTSU scored five more points to take a close 41-36 lead into the locker room.
MTSU hit 50 percent (16-of-32) of their shots in the first half, as Holmes (13) and Justice (10) each posted double figures in the scoring column. SIU was spearheaded by Crutcher's 10 points, but five Salukis hit two free throws to combine for a perfect 10-of-10 effort from the foul line.
SIU immediately attacked MTSU to begin the second half. A Danette Jones three-pointer just 1:14 into the half, sparked a 10-4 run that stretched over the next 6:35. Jones also made a pair of free throws during the jaunt which ended on a Molly McDowell layup at the 13:50 (48-46) mark.
In what looked as if SIU would give the game its eighth tie, the Salukis, instead, missed six shots and committed four turnovers. Meanwhile, Bailey scored five points to fuel a 12-0 run which extended the Lady Raiders' lead to 60-46 with 9:18 remaining.
The surprising counter was enough to put the game out of reach, as MTSU went on to polish off the 87-63 win.
Holmes shot 8-of-14 from the field and 3-of-3 from the free throw line to lead all MTSU scorers with 20 points. Justice and Bailey each followed with 18, while Ciara Gray and Eboni Kirby each added 10. Bailey, who scored all of her points off the bench, registered 12 in the second half.
SIU was led by McDowell who touched the nets for 14 points on 5-of-11 field goals and 4-of-4 free throws. Crutcher finished close behind with a double-double 11 points and 13 boards. Crutcher's double-double marked her second this season.
MTSU posted 18 steals off 25 SIU turnovers. In their last two games, the Salukis have turned the ball over 57 times, while their opponents registered 39 steals.
SIU, who finished non-league play at 4-5 this season, returns to MVC action at Bradley on Friday, Jan. 31. Tip off is set for 8:05 p.m.
