Southern Illinois University
9-16, 5-11MVC
Evansville
15-10, 11-5MVC
Women's Basketball loses to Evansville in overtime, 66-63
02/26/2006 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 26, 2006
By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The University of Evansville (15-10, 11-5) scored six unanswered points in the last 1:54 of overtime to come back and beat Southern Illinois (9-16, 5-11), 66-63, earlier today in a thriller at SIU Arena.
Jasmine Gibson's free throws with 33 seconds left in regulation knotted the game at 56-56, and after Amy Hayden's off-balance jumper missed, as time expired, UE and SIU headed for overtime.
Both teams traded baskets early in the overtime period, before Elyse Morris' three-pointer broke a 60-60 tie to give SIU a 63-60 lead with 1:54 left to play.
Morris' three, however, ended up being the Salukis' last bucket of the game, as UE rattled off six-straight points to escape Carbondale with a win.
Shortly after Morris' trey, Rebekah Parker hit a pair of free throws with 1:35 remaining to pull the Aces to within a point, 63-62.
After Erica Smith missed a jumper on SIU's next possession, Kanika Rogers scored a layup to give UE a slight 64-63 advantage with 44 seconds left.
SIU had three chances in the last 26 seconds, but Erin Pauk missed a pair of three-pointers and Morris missed a jumper.
Meanwhile, Ashley Austin's two free throws with 16 ticks on the clock sealed it for the Aces.
Despite the fact UE turned the ball over 24 times, SIU couldn't find the offense to capitalize.
"Their upperclassmen made plays and ours struggled to convert on those 24 turnovers," said Saluki head coach Dana Eikenberg.
As a result, the Salukis sputtered to 24-of-69 field goals for 34.8 percent. SIU has now shot under 40 percent in six of its last eight games.
Pauk led the Salukis with 13 points and four steals, while Carlai Moore (12) and Gibson (10) also scored double figures. Moore returned to the court after missing SIU's last two games due to a fractured orbit in her left eye.
"I thought Erin's defense was fantastic. She gave our staff and this program everything today," said Eikenberg.
Parker topped the Aces with 20 points, while Liffick followed with 16. Parker and Liffick hurt SIU for a combined 63 points in UE's two-game sweep of the Dawgs.
SIU remains home to host league-leading Indiana State on Mar. 2.
