Southern Illinois University
St. Louis Goldstar (ex)
Women's Basketball beats Goldstar, 83-49
11/06/2005 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 6, 2005
By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois posted 20 steals and forced 34 turnovers in a commanding 83-49 win over St. Louis Goldstar earlier today in exhibition action at SIU Arena.
SIU collected three steals off five quick turnovers to open a 14-0 lead in the first 3:17 of the game, and from then on, never looked back.
Sophomore guard Erin Pauk, who finished the day with four steals, had two takeaways in that span, as her tenacious ball pressure set the tone early.
"Erin did a great job on the ball and that's not easy," said head coach Dana Eikenberg. "Overall, we had great hands-on defense today. I think we charted 40 deflections and that tells me we're really moving well off the ball."
Goldstar only put up seven points in the first eight minutes of the game against the Saluki defense, and as a result, fell behind 24-7 after Katy Freeman knocked down a pair of free throws with 12:08 left.
Goldstar later trailed, 40-25 at the break.
Ahead 70-48 late in the game, SIU pinned Goldstar to just one point en route to outscoring the St. Louis based squad, 13-1, over the final 6:04.
Four Salukis, including Amy Hayden, Jayme Sweere, Freeman and Kaci Bailey all scored during the final jaunt, which polished off the 83-49 win.
Four of SIU's five starters, including Carlai Moore, Sweere, Pauk and Hayden pitched in double-digits to lead a balanced scoring attack for the Dawgs.
Moore paved the way with 15 points and five steals, while Sweere followed with 14 points, a game-high five rebounds and four steals.
"I thought we hustled well," said Eikenberg. "Obviously, Jayme and Carlai have a lot to do with that."
Pauk added 13 points, while Hayden chipped in 12. Half of Hayden's points came from behind the three-point arc, where she shot 2-of-3.
SIU also received a strong effort from its bench, which contributed 27 points and 18 boards.
Freeman (8) and freshman Jasmine Gibson (7) led the Saluki reserves in scoring, while freshman Erica Smith tied for the team-lead with five rebounds.
"We talk a lot about what you can bring off the bench and how it's just as big of a responsibility to come off the bench as it is to start a game," said Eikenberg. "I'm proud of how our reserves played today."
Today's game was delayed when Goldstar showed up approximately 15 minutes late for the 2:05 p.m., scheduled tip.
SIU tips off its 2005-06 season at home against Weber State on Nov. 19.
