Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Women's Basketball Visits Bradley Saturday
01/30/2004 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 30, 2004
By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com
PEORIA, Ill. - Southern Illinois (2-15, 1-7) looks to snap its five-game losing streak Saturday when it plays at Bradley (4-12, 2-7). Tip off is set for 8:05 p.m., at Robertson Field House.
The Salukis continue to struggle, and as a result, carry a five-game losing streak into Saturday's game against the Braves. Averaging just 57.7 points per game as a team, SIU has seen its field goal percentage dip to a season-low .388 (378-of-975) over its last five outings.
Dana Pinkston, who is coming off a 21-point effort against Northern Iowa (1/29), leads all Saluki scorers 9.2 points per game. Danette Jones follows with 8.6 ppg, and Katie Berwanger rounds out the top three with 8.3 points and a team-leading 8.4 rebounds.
Bradley enters Saturday's matchup fresh off a week's rest after last losing at Drake (59-46) on Jan. 24. Standing at seventh in the league standings with a 2-5 mark, the Braves are led by Genny Mueller's 11.2 points per game. Dena Williams follows with 8.0 points and a team-high 8.0 rebounds. Like SIU, Bradley (58.3) is also scoring under 60 points per game as a team.
SIU is 16-4 all-time at Robertson Field House, the home of Braves. Included in that record is a 1-3 mark under current head coach Lori Opp. Dropping its last two games by 18 or more points on the Braves' home floor, the last time SIU won in Peoria was on Jan. 5, 2001 (63-62).
The Salukis hold a 36-7 lead in their overall series against the Braves. However, Bradley has taken control in recent years posting five straight wins over the Dawgs dating back to 2001.
