Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Women's Basketball Plays at Evansville Saturday
02/18/2005 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 18, 2005
By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill.- Coming off a week's rest, Southern Illinois (3-19, 1-12) returns to action Saturday when it visits Evansville (14-8, 7-6). Tip off is set for 5 p.m., at Roberts Stadium.
SERIES HISTORY
Despite losing five of its last seven games to UE, SIU leads the overall series, 16-13. However, three of the last four meetings between the two teams have been close, as each of those games were decided by at four or less points.
LAST TIME OUT
SIU went on a 15-5 run in the final five minutes of the game, but fell short in a 70-60 loss at Bradley on Feb. 12. Since beating Wichita State for its only conference win of the season on Feb. 3, SIU has since, lost its last three games.
ROUND ONE AGAINST UE
Jennifer Utterback knocked down a jumper with 11 seconds left to lead UE to a 54-53 win over SIU on Jan. 22 in Carbondale. SIU led by as many as nine points before taking the loss.
ABOUT EVANSVILLE
UE currently sits in fifth-place in the MVC and has dropped three of its previous five games, including the last two.
The Purple Aces, like SIU, also lost two on the road at Bradley (81-67) and Northern Iowa (47-44).
Megan Liffick is one of three Aces averaging over 10 points a game. Liffick is pitching in 10.5 ppg, while Laura Gaybrick follows with 10.3. Jennifer Utterback rounds out the trio with 10 points.
BRUSTER SEES DOUBLES
Freshman India Bruster scored double figures for the third time this season when she pitched in 12 points at Bradley on Feb. 12. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Bruster made 6-of-8 field goals, grabbed five rebounds and gathered two steals in 19 minutes. Her double-digit performance was her first in five games after last scoring 10 points against Evansville on Jan. 22.
JONES BOUNCES BACK
SIU's leading scorer, Danette Jones, was held to under 10 points for just the sixth time this season when she scored seven at Northern Iowa on Feb. 10. The native of Salem, Ill., however, regrouped to score 17 points two days later at Bradley (Feb. 12). Against the Braves, she made 6-of-11 field goals, including 3-of-7 from three-point range to lead all Saluki scorers. Jones, who has scored double-figures in 16 games this season, pitched in 10 or more points in seven of her last eight outings.
KEEPING UP WITH JONES
Senior guard/forward Danette Jones leads the Salukis in scoring with 14.9 points per game. A native of Salem, Ill., she has been SIU's top scorer in all but nine games this season. Jones ranks among individuals in the MVC in several categories, including scoring (5th: 14.9 ppg), free throw percentage (8th; .821), three-point field goals made (1st; 58) and minutes played (2nd; 36.5 avg).
JONES KEEPS ROLLING
SIU's top scoring threat, Danette Jones, has been on a tear ever since she was held scoreless in 12 minutes against Northern Iowa on Jan. 14. Since that time, she has recovered to score double figures in seven of her last eight games. However, in four of those outings, Jones has done some serious damage. A native of Salem, Ill., Jones shot a combined 27-of-56 (.482) from the field, 17-of-37 (.459) from three-point range and 13-of-16 (.813) at the free throw line in games from Jan. 27-Feb. 5. She also grabbed seven rebounds, dished out five assists and had two steals.
MORE ON JONES
SIU's number one long range threat, Danette Jones has knocked down 58 three-pointers this season, the most of any player in the Valley. Currently ranking 14th in the nation in three-pointers per game (2.6), she has drained five or more treys five times this season. She also knocked down a career-high seven threes (7-of-16) at Bethune-Cookman on Dec. 18.
