Southern Illinois University
4-7
Tennessee Tech
2-8
Women's Basketball, Pauk shoot down Golden Eagles
12/19/2006 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 19, 2006
By Shalae Schulte
www.siusalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois' Erin Pauk produced a season-high 17 points including a career-best five 3-pointers to push the Salukis (4-7) past Tennessee Tech (2-8), 69-62, Tuesday afternoon in SIU Arena.
"I'm proud of what they fought today," Saluki head coach Dana Eikenberg said. "I think we just dug down a little deeper, played good defense, got stops when we needed it and were able to hit some shots when we needed to. It wasn't pretty. It wasn't fluid, but it was a `W' and right now we'll take that."
The lead changed hands 10 times, the Salukis going ahead for good, 56-55, with 4:59 left to play on a jumper by Jayme Sweere.
Two free throws by Carlai Moore followed by two straight threes by Pauk put the game out of reach with just over two minutes to play.
The Salukis pulled up by as many as 12 with 19 seconds in regulation, their largest lead of the game, 69-57.
Tennessee Tech scored five points in the final six seconds, the first two on a layup by Kendall Cavin. A jump ball possession put the ball back in the Golden Eagles' hands as Cavin drained a three at the buzzer, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Saluki run.
"They work very hard and they deserve it," Eikenberg added. " I felt after that final timeout we took, there was a suspense that we weren't going to let it slip again. I give Erin Pauk a lot of credit for that. She stepped up and really hit some big shots."
Along with Pauk, Erica Smith recorded an impressive line, including a career-high 16 points and eight boards, to go with three assists and four steals.
Moore, the third Saluki in double-digits, added 14 points, a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line. The senior also chipped in six boards and three assists.
The Salukis took advantage of Golden Eagle mishaps, scoring 24 points off of their 17 turnovers.
Southern wrapped up its non-conference season with four wins, three over Ohio Valley Conference teams.
"I remember last Christmas, we lost a game we should've won right before the break," Smith said. "This year it just feels great to go home with a win before conference."
The Salukis will take a break for the holidays, returning to action on the road, opening Missouri Valley Conference play at Wichita State Dec. 28.
