Southern Illinois University
6-7, 2-2MVC
Bradley
4-9, 0-4MVC
Women's Basketball comes back to beat Bradley, 66-64
01/07/2006 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 7, 2006
By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Carlai Moore scored 23 points and knocked down the go-ahead jumper with 10 seconds left to lead Southern Illinois (6-7, 2-2) to a dramatic 66-64 win over Bradley (4-9, 0-4) earlier today at SIU Arena.
The win snapped a five-game losing streak against the Braves at home. BU also remained winless in the Valley.
SIU trailed, 56-48, after Kelly Krumwiede's breakaway layup with 7:52 left, but used a 10-2 run in the last four minutes to pull off the come-from-behind victory.
After Libby Magnuson's basket gave the Braves a 62-56 lead with 3:45 remaining, SIU forced four turnovers in BU's final eight possessions.
"Defensively, I thought we played smart at both the beginning and end of the game," said Saluki head coach Dana Eikenberg. "Right now, we are solely a defensive team."
Freshman Jasmine Gibson split two free throws and Moore made a pair at the line following a BU turnover to cut the Braves' lead to 62-59 with just over two minutes (2:17) to play.
Katy Freeman then hit a runner in the lane with 1:29 to go to trim BU's lead to 62-61.
Magnuson later answered with a layup to push the lead to 64-61 for the Braves, but BU failed to score on its final three possessions, leaving the door wide open for SIU.
Gibson's jumper with just over a minute left brought the Dawgs back to within a point at 64-63.
Moments later, BU's Amy Peters missed a pair of free throws with 20 seconds on the clock. Ten ticks later, Moore hit a jumper in the key to give the Salukis a 65-64 edge.
A Braves turnover and foul with 1.4 seconds sealed the win for SIU.
Moore said after the game the clutch shot was the biggest of her career.
"It was a two-man game after Katy passed the ball to me," described Moore. "I wanted the ball and I did what I do in practice. It was definitely the biggest shot of my Saluki career."
Eikenberg also said it wasn't the first time she'd seen Moore deliver under pressure.
"I've seen Carlai do that several times," Eikenberg said about Moore's shot. "She's a nice option to have and I'm proud of her for playing a tough game."
SIU led by as many as nine (28-19) in the first half, but found itself down, 31-30, after BU went on a 12-2 run to close out the half.
Moore led the Salukis in scoring for the seventh-straight game, as her 23 points marked the sixth time this season she has pitched in over 20 points in a game.
She shot 10-of-18 from the floor and 3-of-4 at the free throw line, while pulling down three rebounds and collecting one steal in 33 minutes.
Jayme Sweere, who was held out of the starting lineup for the first time this year, followed with 19 points on 6-of-17 field goals and 6-of-7 free throws. Sweere also had a game-high nine rebounds, dished out three assists, gathered one block and posted a steal.
Gibson rounded out three Salukis in double figures with 10 points, her first double-digit performance since becoming a starter on Dec. 30.
SIU also outrebounded BU, 40-28, including a dominating 19-6 effort on the offensive glass. Prior to today, the Salukis had been outrebounded by three of their last four opponents. Not to mention, all 11 Dawgs helped in the win.
"It was a great team effort and we need everybody to contribute," said Eikenberg. "This program is about all 11 players who are in uniform."
BU shot a season-best 56 percent (28-of-50) from the field, as Peters paved the way with 20 points. The Braves also outscored the Dawgs, 26-8, in the paint.
There were four ties and 12 lead changes in the game, as well.
SIU splits its first four conference games for the first time since 1999-00. That year, the Salukis opened league play at 2-2 after splitting against Indiana State (W, 64-62) and Illinois State (L, 59-47) on the road and Bradley (W, 58-50) and Northern Iowa (L, 57-49) at home.
SIU hits the road to face Missouri State on Jan. 12 and Wichita State on Jan. 14.
