Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Women's Basketball Travels to Northern Iowa Thursday
01/28/2004 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 28, 2004
By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois (2-14, 1-6) looks to snap a four-game losing streak Thursday when it travels to Northern Iowa (5-11, 1-6). Tip off is set for 7:05 p.m., at West Gym.
UNI and SIU, who rank ninth and 10th in the Valley, could each use a win tomorrow, as both hold identical 1-6 league marks, and boast losing streaks of three or more games.
The Salukis, who have lost three of their last four games by 30 or more points, are recently coming off a 84-53 loss to league-leading SMS (1/24). Averaging just 57.9 points per game as a team, SIU is led by junior Danette Jones' 9.1 ppg. Dana Pinkston (8.5 ppg) and Katie Berwanger (8.9 ppg) follow, as not one Saluki is averaging double figures in the scoring column.
UNI, on the other hand, has lost three straight and seven of its last eight heading into Thursday. Coming off a 81-64 loss at Creighton (1/25), the Panthers sport three starters averaging double figures in points. Senior guard/forward Amy Swisher leads all scorers with 16.1 points per game, while juniors Alex Cook (14.0 ppg; 10.4 rpg) and Emily Berry (10.6 ppg) round out the top three.
SIU has not fared well at West Gym in recent years. In fact, the Salukis have gone 0-6 on the Panthers' homecourt since 1998. Included in that stretch are three losses by 24 to 37 points, all of which have come under head coach Lori Opp. Additionally, the last time the Dawgs won at West Gym was on Dec. 29, 1997 (71-68).
The Salukis hold a 27-13 advantage in their overall series against the Panthers. Since 1998, however, UNI has dominated the series by winning 11 of its last 12 meetings with SIU, including both a year ago.
