Women's Basketball hosts Murray State Friday
11/16/2006 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 16, 2006
Date: Friday, November 17, 2006
Tip Off: 7:05 p.m.
Site: Carbondale, Ill. - SIU Arena (14,007)
The Series: SIU leads, 31-4
Head Coaches: SIU: Dana Eikenberg (51-117 overall, 13-43 at SIU)
Murray State: Joi Felton (35-51 overall and at MSU)
Rankings: NR
Radio: NA
Audio Webcast: www.siusalukis.com - Thad Jackson
Livestats: www.siusalukis.com
Complete Game Notes in PDF Format
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Last Week
The Southern Illinois women's basketball team, down by nine points at half-time, went on a 16 to six run with 12:44 left in the game to take a 55-50 lead over Missouri, but couldn't hold on as the Tigers bounced back to spoil a season-opening victory in front of a record crowd at SIU Arena Sunday afternoon, 71-60.
Dawg House was Packed - Salukis Shatter Home Attendance Record
Sunday's attendance of 3,367 against Missouri Sunday, Nov. 10 broke the all-time single-game record at SIU Arena. The previous record of 2,003 was set back in January of 1989 at a match up between Southern and Wichita State.
Murray State One of Three OVC Schools on This Year's Non-Conference Slate
Murray State is the first of three games this season against Ohio Valley Conference schools. Nov. 29, the Salukis face Austin Peay for the first time in school history. Dec. 19, the Salukis face Tennessee Tech - last season the Golden Eagles beat SIU by 10.
Dawgs Have 15-Game Winning Streak Against Murray State
The Salukis have taken the last 15 meetings from the Racers, dating back to 1989, including a 94-77 win over MSU last season. SIU leads the series 31-4, two of the Racers victories from the 1970s and two from the 80s.
Previewing the Racers
Preseason pick: Murray State was picked to finish third in the Ohio Valley Conference in 2006-07.
2005-06 finish: The Racers return all five starters from a team that went 11-17 overall and 10-10 in league play for a fourth-place finish.
Scouting report: The Racers return nine players from last season's squad, including five returning starters and the Ohio Valley Conference Pre-Season Player of the Year in Joi Scott (20.3 ppg, 8.6 rpg) and All-OVC preseason pick Ashley Nicole Hayes (11.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg).
Last Time Out: Jayme Sweere scored 28 points and Carlai Moore had 21 to lead Southern Illinois to a 94-77 win over Murray State last season at the Regional Special Events Center. Sweere and Moore led five Salukis in double figures. The win marked SIU's 15th in a row against MSU, as the Salukis were 2-0 to start a season for the first time in 13 years. SIU was red hot from the field, where it shot 19-of-36 (52.8 percent) in the first half and 18-of-32 (56.3 percent) in the second. The Salukis also out-rebounded the Racers, 42-31.
Versus the OVC
The Salukis, who meet the Racers for the 36th time, are 31-4 against MSU and 106-33 overall against Ohio Valley Conference opponents. SIU also has an advantage in series records over Eastern Kentucky (2-0), Eastern Illinois (36-6), Tennessee-Martin (7-5) and SEMO (23-6) and a losing record against Tennessee Tech (7-12) who took a game from the Salukis on the road a year ago.
SIU in Sunday slump
During the last two seasons, the Salukis were 0-9 on Sundays during the regular season. Sunday, Nov. 10, the Salukis opened the 2006-07 regular season with a 71-60 loss to Missouri to bring their Sunday record during the last three years to 0-10. The Salukis play again on Sunday, Feb. 4 when they take on Illinois State.
Salukis Cruise in Exhibition Win
Southern Illinois recorded 49 rebounds and forced 22 turnovers in a commanding 69-29 win over Christian Brothers Sunday, Nov. 5 in exhibition action at SIU Arena. SIU put three players in double-digit scoring, the five starters combining for 52 of the Salukis' total points. Carlai Moore paved the way with 18 points, adding a game-high eight boards, while Jayme Sweere followed with 12 points and a game-high five assists. Sophomore forward Jasmine Gibson added eight points, two assists and two steals, while junior Erin Pauk chipped in five points, six boards, four assists and three steals at the point. The Salukis' lone freshman Dana Olsen chipped in 10 points and five boards off the bench in her first collegiate game.
Moore to Come from Lone Senior
Carlai Moore was named the 2006 MVC Newcomer of the Year, SIU's first since 2000 and third all-time - also named All-MVC second-team. Moore finished her junior season averaging 17.6 points and 4.7 boards per game, shooting .548 from the field. She started 26 games at forward for the Salukis. Moore ranked fourth in the MVC in scoring (17.6 ppg) and led the league in field goal percentage (.548). She was also one of six athletes picked in the MVC Preseason All-Conference team. Moore enters her senior season ranked in the top-50 in scoring in SIU history.
Moving on Up
The 2005-06 team recorded 10 wins in a season for the first time since 1997-98. The Salukis won four non-conference games and six Missouri Valley Conference games during the 2005-06 season. The conference mark is the highest since 1997-98 under former head coach Cindy Scott. SIU also garnered a winning record at home (7-6) for the first time since 1996-97. Last season the Salukis ranked second in The Valley in both field goal percentage (.421) and three-point field goal percentage defense (.294).
Backcourt
Junior Erin Pauk returns to lead the Saluki backcourt after finishing her first season with the Salukis averaging 8.3 points and 4.0 assists. In the off season Pauk has worked on many things, including her shot on the perimeter. Eikenberg believes she needs to be a threat outside the arc and be able to create and make shots for herself. Backing up Pauk at the one will be junior college transfer Courtney Grant.
Perimeter
Junior Jayme Sweere, who started 17 games last season, leading the Salukis in rebounds, will see time at the two-three position. Sophomore Erica Smith and junior college transfer Debbie Burris will also contribute, along with sophomore Kaci Bailey. With the addition of some size in the frontcourt, Eikenberg expects to have options, maybe moving forwards Moore and Gibson down to play the three when needed. Impressed with the improvement in the offseason of Smith, the Saluki coaching staff is excited to see a stronger, more confident player, rebounding the ball. Burris, a transfer from Allen County Community College, will see playing time at all three guard positions, including backing up Pauk at the one. A good shooter, Burris is better known for her delivery. She can read defenses well and elude defenders.
Frontcourt
Headlined by the 2006 MVC Player of the Year, Moore, the four position is the ultimate position for this Saluki squad. Moore, along with Gibson and lone freshman Dana Olsen will see playing time at small forward. Gibson started only 12 games a year ago, but really packed a punch off the bench. Olsen will also see time at the four. Her large size and great ball handling skills will fit well with the motion offense. Gentry Dietz and junior college transfer Cortney Sales will battle at the five. Dietz, who was hurt at the end of last season, brings good size and mobility to the post. In 18 games, the sophomore averaged 2.8 points and 3.3 rebounds per game before getting injured. Sales, a back-to-the-basket player who is not afraid to bump and run.
Pauk making strides on the court and in the classroom
Erin Pauk was named a First-Team MVC Scholar-Athlete in 2006 - SIU's first since 1999-2000 - Also named CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine second-team academic all-district V selection Pauk carries a 4.0 grade point average in psychology. The Saluki point guard averaged 8.3 points and 4.0 assists as a sophomore.
Sweere Honorable Mention MVC Scholar-Athlete
Sweere, a radio/TV major, carries a 3.42 GPA. Last season she led the Salukis in rebounding, averaging 4.9 per game, adding 12.9 points per game.
Four MVC Newcomer-of-the-Week awards in 2005-06
Sweere was honored Nov. 28, while Moore was honored Jan. 3, Jan. 23 and March 6.
Salukis make strides in The Valley
• SIU swept two league opponents (Creighton and Illinois State) for the first time in a season since 1998-99. In 1998-99 the Salukis swept Bradley and Illinois State.
• Ended a 19-game losing streak against Drake. Before the Salukis' victory at home over the Bulldogs Jan. 21, 2006, SIU had not taken a game since 1996 when they swept Drake.
• Finished last in the MVC four years in a row prior to finishing eighth last season. In 1999-2000, SIU finished tied for eighth with a 5-13 record.
Postgame Interviews
Postgame interviews at SIU Arena are held in the Saluki Room located at the top of the stairwell on the south end of Lingle Hall. Coaches and players will be available 10 minutes following the conclusion of each game.
Interviews During the Week
Please arrange all interviews of players and coaches through Shalae Schulte. She can be reached by phone at (618) 453-7102 (office) or (618) 967-8997 (cell) and via e-mail at sschulte@siu.edu.
www.siusalukis.com
The official website www.siusalukis.com is the best source for up-to-date information on the Saluki women's basketball team. Rosters, box scores, cumulative statistics, pre-game notes and other materials are available on the site. You will need Adobe Acrobat to read PDF files.
Up Next...
The Salukis host Saint Louis on Tuesday, Nov. 21. Tip off is set for 7:05 p.m. CT, at SIU Arena.
