Southern Illinois University
3-16 2-8
Evansville*
9-10 4-6
Women's Basketball Loses to Evansville, 63-57
02/07/2004 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 7, 2004
By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com
EVANSVILLE, Ind. - Megan Liffick stole the ball and scored a layup and Kendra Snyder hit a pair of free throws in the last 31 seconds of the game to help lift Evansville (9-10, 4-6) a thrilling 63-57 win over Southern Illinois (3-16, 2-8) earlier tonight at Roberts Stadium.
It was a battle to the finish which, unfortunately, ended up in SIU's sixth straight loss on the Purple Aces' home floor.
But, what stood out even more than that was the serious advantage UE held at the free throw line. By the end of the night, the Purple Aces shot 19-of-22 free throws, which considerably outweighed SIU's 0-of-3 mark. Not to mention, all but three of UE's makes came in the second half.
A three-pointer by Alissa Kirby, jumpers by Jennifer Utterback and Jamie Gray, and two free throws by Megan Liffick fueled an early 9-4 UE run in the first 4:15 of the game.
The five-point lead, however, quickly disappeared when Amy Hayden came off the bench to knock down a three-pointer and a jumper to tie the game (9-9) at the 14:32 mark.
From then on, both SIU and UE exchanged baskets, as neither team led by more than three points for the rest of the first half.
During that final fourteen and a half minutes of the opening stanza, each team had its chances to put together some sort of a run. For example, Liffick, at one time, scored five straight points in a span of 3:23, but her surge only gave UE a 24-23 lead.
As for SIU, Tiffany Crutcher scored on a nice hook shot (:58) and Katie Berwanger proceeded that with a layup (:23) to regain a 29-26 lead, and give the Dawgs momentum at the half.
Both SIU (13-of-34) and UE (11-of-30) struggled from the field in the first half, where each team made no more than 13 field goals in at least 30 attempts.
UE stormed out to a 17-7 run at the start of the second half, and as a result, built a seven-point lead. Heidi Seltzer (4) and Chelsea Robinson (3) accounted for seven unanswered points at the end of the spurt to give the Purple Aces a 43-36 lead at the 10:52 mark.
The UE attack didn't seem to phase SIU, who answered with a 11-0 run of its own. Dana Pinkston scored five points to lead the rally which won back a 47-43 advantage for the Dawgs.
What appeared to be key runs for each team, didn't hold up in the end, as the game wouldn't be decided until the last 43 seconds.
Trailing by one (57-56) UE used a final 6-0 run to put the clamps on its 63-57 win. Despite Liffick's steal and uncontested layup, which at the time, gave the Purple Aces a 60-57 edge (:31), SIU had a chance to tie, but a Danette Jones three-pointer fell way short. Hayden then fouled Snyder, who calmly sunk two free throws (:15) and Gray split a pair at the line (:06) to secure the win.
Liffick shot 50 percent (7of-14) en route to her team-leading 22 points. Gray, who was held under her season average for the second time against the Dawgs this season, followed with 11.
SIU was led by Pinkston and Hayden who each had 12 points. Crutcher also added 10, as she and Hayden combined for 22 points off the bench.
SIU returns home to host Indiana State on Thursday, Feb. 12. Tip off is at 7:05 p.m.
