Southern Illinois University
3-0
South Alabama
2-1
Women's Basketball pounds South Alabama, 82-61
11/25/2005 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 25, 2005
By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois (3-0) scored all but 29 of its points off turnovers and at the free throw line in a dominating 82-61 win over South Alabama (2-1) earlier tonight at SIU Arena.
SIU, who handed USA its first loss of the season, scored 29 points off 25 turnovers, made 24-of-27 free throws and pinned the Jaguars to only 19 first half points.
"We did a great job with our defensive pressure and I thought our offense did a fantastic job of being poised and in control," said Saluki head coach Dana Eikenberg.
SIU fell behind, 7-6, nearly three minutes into the game, but Carlai Moore's jumper at the 16:15 mark ignited a 20-7 run, and the Salukis never trailed again.
Moore accounted for nine points, while Jayme Sweere added six to help push the Dawgs' lead to 28-14 with 7:36 remaining.
Moore (14) and Sweere (11) teamed up for 25 points and a smothering Saluki defense forced 16 turnovers in the first half, as SIU took a hefty 40-19 lead.
SIU extended its lead to as many as 24 on a couple of occasions in the second half.
Moore's jumper gave the Salukis a 45-21 lead nearly a minute into second stanza, while Elyse Morris' jumper put SIU ahead, 58-34, with just under 12 minutes left.
SIU's lead never dipped below double figures for the last 36:15 of the game.
Moore knocked down 8-of-17 field goals and 12-of-14 free throws en route a game-high 28 points, her second-straight outing with over 20 points. She also had six rebounds and a steal in 34 minutes.
"Carlai stepped up and played the way we know she can. She's a special player," said Eikenberg.
Erin Pauk, Sweere and Morris also joined Moore in double figures. Pauk had 14, while Sweere added 13 and Morris chipped in 11. Pauk has put up double-digits in the scoring column in all three of SIU's games this year.
Team wise, the Dawgs posted a commanding 29-10 advantage in points off turnovers.
SIU's bench, led once again by Katy Freeman (8) and Jasmine Gibson (6) also did its job, as the Saluki reserves outscored the Jags, 25-20. Tonight marked the third time in as many games this season, where SIU outscored its opponent off the bench.
Additionally, SIU shot over 50 percent (51.7, 15-of-29) in the first half for the second-straight time.
If USA had anything going, it was JoAnna Williams, who after being held to only four first half points, erupted for 20 in the second half to finish as the Jags' leading scorer with 24.
Williams, the Sun Belt Conference's Newcomer-of-the-Year in 2004-05, shot 9-of-17 from the field, including 2-of-3 from three-point range. She also shot 4-of-5 from the free throw line, grabbed seven rebounds and collected four steals.
SIU moves to 3-0 and is one win shy of tying its winning streak at the beginning of the 1991-92 season. That year, the Dawgs started at 4-0 under then-head coach Cindy Scott.
The Salukis cross the Mississippi River to visit SE Missouri State on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
