Southern Illinois University
7-9, 3-4MVC
Creighton
6-9, 4-2MVC
Women's Basketball smashes Creighton, 85-63
01/19/2006 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 19, 2006
By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Carlai Moore led four Salukis in double figures with 26 points and Southern Illinois (7-9, 3-4) shot a season-high 61 percent in a dominating 85-63 win over Creighton (6-9, 4-2) earlier tonight at SIU Arena.
The 22-point win was SIU's largest all-time against CU.
After leading by double-digits at halftime (38-26) for the first time since Dec. 30, SIU made 15 of its first 18 field goals in the second half and never looked back.
"It started with our defense," said Saluki head coach Dana Eikenberg. "I thought we did a terrific job of frustrating them in the first half."
Eikenberg wanted her team to hold the Bluejays to under 70 points and it did.
In fact, CU's 63 points were second to Northern Iowa's 59 for the two lowest point totals that Valley opponents have put up against SIU this year.
Eikenberg didn't anticipate the Salukis would score 85 points either.
"We made a real conscious effort of getting our inside game going and our guards did a nice job of getting to the basket. We'll take those points as they come," said Eikenberg.
CU led for nearly seven minutes into the game, but struggled on the offensive end without the services of senior point guard Kristi Woodard.
Minus Woodard, it was hard for Angie Janis to get going offensively against a pressing Saluki defense.
SIU limited the Jays' top scorer to only four points and two rebounds in the first half. Janis, who averaged 18.6 points and 8.6 rebounds entering tonight's game, finished below each of those marks with a quiet 12 points and seven boards.
"We did a nice job focusing on Angie and carrying out the game plan," said Eikenberg.
The Bluejays held a 7-0 lead early in the first half, but fell apart offensively when it turned the ball over seven times in the last 6:24 of the half.
SIU then caught fire to make 15 of its first 18 field goals en route to outscoring CU, 32-18, in the opening 12:48 of the second half.
Freshman Jasmine Gibson, who came off the bench after starting six-straight games, was unstoppable during the rout, which pushed SIU's lead to 70-45 with 8:12 left.
Gibson had 12 points and scored on four of six Saluki possessions at one time during the blazing surge.
"Jasmine has an unbelievable game, and when she just relaxes and plays, there's no doubt in my mind she can eventually be one of the best players in our league," said Eikenberg.
Moore shot 12-of-19 from the field and 2-of-3 from the free throw line to earn her fourth-straight 20-plus point performance. She has now led SIU in scoring for 10 games in a row.
Gibson followed with 12 points, marking the sixth time she has pitched in double figures this season.
Jayme Sweere (12) and Elyse Morris (10) rounded out the four Salukis in double-digits.
SIU missed only six field goals (20-of-26) in the second half, where it shot 76.9 percent. On the night, the Dawgs finished at 36-of-59 from the floor for their new season-best 61.0 mark.
Additionally, SIU scored 80 or more points for the fourth time this year and the second time in conference play.
SIU stays home to host Drake on Saturday at 2:05 p.m. That game will be broadcast live on WCIL 1020 AM.
Jeff Honza Southern Illinois University Associate Director of Media Services 618-453-5470 (Office) 618-453-2648 (Fax) honz@siu.edu siusalukis.com
