Women's Basketball visits Tennessee Tech Monday
12/04/2005 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 4, 2005
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By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com
Date: Monday, Dec. 5, 2005
Tip Off: 7 p.m., CST
Site: Eblen Center (10,152), Cookeville, Tenn.
The Series: TTU leads, 11-7
Head Coaches: SIU: Dana Eikenberg (6-26/2nd Year)
TTU: Bill Worrell (389-182/20th Year)
Rankings: Neither team is ranked
Audio Webcast:ttusports.com
Livestats:ttusports.com
Salukis Face Third OVC Opponent Monday
Southern Illinois plays its third road game against an Ohio Valley Conference opponent when it visits Tennessee Tech Monday. The Salukis are 1-1 against OVC foes this season after beating Murray State, 94-77, on Nov. 22 and losing to SE Missouri State, 74-63, on Nov. 29.
Dawgs Carry Two-Game Losing Streak to Cookeville
After posting its best start to a season (3-0) since 1991-92, SIU has dropped its last two games. The Dawgs suffered their first loss of the year at SE Missouri State on Nov. 22, and recently fell for the first time at home against Indiana on Dec. 2.
Tough Place to Play
SIU has beaten TTU just twice in nine games at the Eblen Center. The Golden Eaglettes, who at one time, had a 23-game winning streak at home (Jan. 5, 1986 to Jan. 11, 1989), are off to a 2-0 start on their homecourt this year. SIU beat TTU in Cookeville in both 1990 (62-60) and 1992 (73-68). The Golden Eaglettes boast an impressive 96-26 (.787) record on their homecourt over the last nine years.
Life on the Road
SIU is 1-11 in its last 12 games on the road. The Salukis snapped a 10-game losing streak away from home earlier in the year at Murray State on Nov. 22.
Series History
The Salukis trail TTU, 11-7, in a series which began in 1987. SIU lost two-straight games and seven of its last eight against the Golden Eaglettes.
Versus the OVC
SIU is 108-32 all-time against OVC schools. The Salukis are 36-6 against Eastern Illinois, 2-0 against Eastern Kentucky, 31-4 against Murray State, 23-6 against SE Missouri State, 7-5 against Tennessee-Martin, 2-0 against Tennessee State and 7-11 against TTU. SIU has played all but four teams -- Morehead State, Austin Peay, Samford, Jacksonville State -- from the OVC.
About the Golden Eaglettes
Preseason Pick:For the second-straight year, TTU was tabbed the OVC's preseason favorite. The Golden Eaglettes finished third in the OVC with an overall 21-8, 13-3 mark. Scouting Report: Under 20-year veteran head coach Bill Worrell, TTU returns three starters from a year ago. Highlighting that group are senior center Emily Christian and junior guard Kendall Cavin. Christian (20.0 ppg) and Cavin (18.8 ppg) lead the Golden Eaglettes in scoring after five games this season. Christian, a first-team preseason all-conference pick, was the OVC's leading scorer in 2003-04 and 2004-05. Christian holds a 21.0 points per game average in three games versus the Salukis. She is also 24-of-39 (.615) from the field and 13-of-14 (.929) from the free throw line lifetime against SIU. Meanwhile, Cavin was named second-team preseason all-OVC. As a team, TTU ranks second in the OVC in scoring offense (75.4 ppg) and first in free throw percentage (.821). Last Time Out: TTU defeated Austin Peay, 96-74, in Cookeville last Thursday. Christian and Cavin had 26 and 24 points, respectively, as the Golden Eaglettes' 96 points marked the most in five games this season. Christian (10-of-10) and Cavin (11-of-12) also spearheaded a 29-of-34 TTU effort at the free throw line.
Lineup Changes
SIU changed its starting lineup for the first time this season Friday against Indiana. Katy Freeman and Elyse Morris, who made their first starts of the season, joined Erin Pauk, Carlai Moore and Jayme Sweere in the starting five. Prior to Friday, Moore, Sweere, Pauk, Amy Hayden and Gentry Dietz had started four games for the Dawgs.
Many See Doubles
Four or more Salukis put up double figures in the scoring column in three of SIU's last four games. Against Murray State (11/22), Jayme Sweere (28), Carlai Moore (21), Katy Freeman (14), Jasmine Gibson (12) and Erin Pauk (11) keyed SIU to a 94-77 win. Three days later, Moore (28), Pauk (14), Sweere (13) and Elyse Morris (11) took over to lead the Dawgs to an 82-61 win over South Alabama (11/25). Most recently, Sweere (20), Moore (13), Pauk (12) and Morris (10) led the Salukis in a 64-59 loss against Indiana (12/2).
Who's up for Going Downtown?
SIU knocked down a season-high seven three-pointers against Indiana on Dec. 2. Three Salukis, including Erin Pauk (3), Elyse Morris (2) and Jayme Sweere (2) combined on the attack. Friday marked the second game in a row in which SIU has knocked down five or more treys.
Stealin' the Show
Jayme Sweere leads the Salukis and the MVC with 3.2 steals per game. Sweere has 16 steals after five games this season.
Up Next
SIU returns home to host South Dakota State on Saturday, Dec. 10. Tip off is set for 2:05 p.m., CST, at SIU Arena.