Southern Illinois University
4-6, 0-2MVC
Wichita St
7-4, 1-1MVC
Women's Basketball Falls To Wichita State, 90-65
01/05/2003 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 5, 2003
Carbondale, Ill. - Four of five starters posted double figures to lead Wichita State (7-4, 1-1) to a 90-65 win over Southern Illinois (4-6, 0-2) earlier today at SIU Arena. April Banks led all Shocker scorers with 25 points, while Carlesa Dixon scored 18, Angela Buckner added 17 and Raeven King pitched in 10.
The win marked Wichita State's eighth straight over SIU since 1999.
Although cold shooting has hurt SIU most of this season, that wasn't the case in the first half, as the Salukis committed 16 turnovers, while hitting 45 percent (9-of-20) from the field.
After shooting just 1-of-6 in the game's first 4:36, SIU would later find itself trailing, 25-18, before Wichita State's swarming defense held the Salukis to just eight points in the final 8:50.
During that span, the Shockers forced SIU into nine turnovers and caused the Salukis to miss on five attempts, all of which appeared to be tough scoring opportunities.
While the Dawgs were missing shots and turning the ball over, Wichita State put together a 20-8 run which saw Banks and Alisha Cade score six points apiece. Banks and Cade were two of five Shockers who scored during the surge that gave WSU a commanding 45-26 lead at the break.
Buckner was too much for the Salukis to handle underneath, as she posted a double-double 12 points and 11 rebounds in the first half alone. Banks also created problems for SIU, scoring 15 points.
Wichita State continued to pound away at SIU in the second half, where it built its lead to 67-40 with 9:51 left to play. Ahead 59-38 after Megan Miller knocked down a jumper at the 12:08 mark, the Shockers used a pair of Jessica Smith three-pointers to fuel a 8-2 run which consumed 2:57.
Still not finished, Wichita State used another jaunt, this time, 9-3, to take its biggest lead of the game at 80-52 following a Michelle Pettigrew three-pointer with 4:59 on the clock.
A Dana Pinkston three-pointer and a jumper by Katie Berwanger in the last two minutes, narrowed the Shocker margin to 85-63, but that was as close as the Salukis would get as Wichita State scored the last seven points of the game to complete its 90-65 win.
Banks hit a sizzling 10-of-13 from the field to go along with a near-perfect 5-of-6 from the free throw line. Dixon (7-of-11) and Buckner (6-of-9) also contributed six or more field goals. In addition, Buckner grabbed 12 rebounds, including 11 in the first half.
SIU was led by Pinkston who registered a season-high 26 points. Pinkston shot 9-of-17 from the field, including 3-of-7 from three-point range. She also made five free throws and grabbed six boards. Sophomore Danette Jones followed with 11 points, marking her second straight game scoring in double figures.
The Salukis, who turned the ball over 28 times, were without starting center Tiffany Crutcher. Crutcher did not suit up due to a sprained foot. Molly McDowell also missed her first start of the season. McDowell, SIU's leading scorer, has now gone scoreless in two straight games on 0-of-10 shooting from the field.
Junior Jodi Heiden, who made her first start this year in place of Crutcher, scored eight points, while Jones filled in for McDowell.
SIU will return to action at Evansville on Saturday, January 11. Tip off is set for 5:05 p.m.
