Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Women's Basketball Stays Home to Host Creighton
01/04/2004 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 4, 2004
By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill.-- Southern Illinois (1-9, 0-1) remains home to host Creighton (5-5, 1-0) in Missouri Valley Conference action on Monday, Jan. 5. Tip off is at 7:05 p.m.
SIU's winning streak was stopped at one game after the Salukis dropped their league opener to Drake on Jan. 3. The Dawgs shot a season-low 16-of-63 (.254) from the field and were held to just 16 points in the first half, while Drake led by as many as 30 points before coasting to a 69-42 win.
Heading into Monday's game, SIU will be looking for a repeat performance, as it snapped a five-game losing streak against Creighton (2/22) with a stunning 70-63 win at SIU Arena a year ago. At the time, the Jays stood just one game out of first place in the league standings.
Averaging just 58.0 points per game, SIU saw its field goal percentage dip from .429 to .409 after shooting .254 against Drake. In addition to field goal percentage, SIU trails its opponents in three-point percentage, free throw percentage, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals. Katie Berwanger leads all Saluki scorers with 10.3 points per game, while Dana Pinkston follows with 8.7. Pinkston has averaged 17.5 ppg in her last two outings.
Preseason-ranked second in the Valley this season, Creighton is coming off tight back-to-back road wins at Iowa (12/28) and Evansville (1/3). The Bluejays defeated the Hawkeys, 84-72, in overtime, before winning, 64-63, against the Purple Aces. Four Bluejays average double figures led by senior guard Dayna Finch's 15.3 points per game.
Both SIU and Creighton had their share of injuries this season as well. SIU is currently without its best player off the bench, Jodi Heiden, who will miss at least two and a half months due to a dislocated ankle, while the Bluejays are without two-time MVC Player of the Year Christy Neneman. Neneman averaged 12.5 points per game before breaking her left ring finger. She is out for four weeks.
Creighton holds a 18-10 advantage against SIU in a series which dates back to 1983. The Bluejays won 11 of their last 13 games against SIU, and have posted series sweeps on five occasions.
SIU looks to pick up its first home win of the season against Creighton. Standing at 0-3 at SIU Arena for the first time in school history, the Dawgs have been outscored, 184-138, and have made just 54-of-165 (.327) field goals in their first three home games.
