Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Women's Basketball Hosts Indiana State Thursday
02/11/2004 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 11, 2004
By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill.-- Southern Illinois (3-16, 2-8) returns home for a brief, two-game stand beginning with Indiana State (12-8, 6-5) on Thursday. Tip off is set for 7 p.m., at SIU Arena.
SIU holds a 37-23 lead in its overall series against ISU, but the Sycamores have taken control in recent years. Since 2000, ISU has won eight straight over the Salukis, including a 91-58 victory earlier this season in Terre Haute.
The Salukis, who play at home for the first time since Jan. 24, opened the second half of league action with a 63-57 loss at Evansville on Feb. 7. Senior Dana Pinkston leads all scorers with 10.3 points per game after scoring double figures in four of her last five outings. Danette Jones follows with a 9.9 ppg mark.
Although SIU is scoring just 58.7 points as a team, that hasn't been the case on the glass, especially on the offensive end, where the Dawgs rank second in the MVC with 15.2 offensive rebounds in conference games.
ISU enters tomorrow's matchup coming off a home split against Drake (W, 66-45) and Creighton (L, 46-47). The Sycamores, who average a league-leading 12.2 steals per game, are led by three starters averaging double figures. Leading that trio is Erin Rhodes who scores 13.9 points per game. Stephanie Lisch (12.5 ppg) and Melanie Boeglin (10.2 ppg) follow.
Although SIU hasn't fared well against the ISU on the road, the Salukis hold a 20-10 advantage against the Trees at SIU Arena. However, it's been quite some time since the Dawgs have beaten the Sycamores at home. In fact, the last time it happened was on Jan. 3, 1997 (72-52).
