Southern Illinois University
2-3
DePaul
6-2
Women's basketball suffers set back at DePaul, 85-42
12/05/2008 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 5, 2008
By Kyle Herm
www.SIUSalukis.com
CHICAGO - Southern Illinois women's basketball suffered its third-straight loss in a 85-42 set back at DePaul Friday afternoon on "Field Trip Day" for Chicagoland elementary students.
The Salukis (2-3) shot a chilly 23 percent en route to their largest margin of defeat since losing 94-51 to Indiana State on Feb. 25, 2005.
DePaul (6-2) on the other hand shot 51 percent and used a 35-11 run during the final 10 minutes of the first half to put the game out of reach at halftime, 54-23.
The Blue Demons also out rebounded SIU 53-30, hauled in 21 offensive boards, and scored 40 of its 85 points in the paint.
Southern Illinois was led by senior Erica Smith, who recorded 11 points, six rebounds and a pair of steals.
Senior Jasmine Gibson and freshman Olivia Lett, who returned after missing the last two games due to back soreness, chipped in eight points each.
DePaul placed three in double-figures, with Natasha Williams and Rachel Pierson leading the way with 18 points apiece.
The Blue Demons held a 15-6 lead early, but SIU kept the game tight with back-to-back 3-pointers by Lett and a free throw by sophomore Adrianne Griffith to bring the
Salukis within four, 17-13, at the 12-minute mark of the first half.
From that point on though SIU's offense struggled, while DePaul continually forced the ball inside to its towering post players.
The Salukis made just two field goals in the final 10 minutes of the half, which allow the Blue Demons to turn a five-point advantage into 31 at the break.
Southern Illinois' offensive woes continued in the second half.
SIU missed its first seven shots until senior Kaci Bailey nailed a 3-pointer to end a four-minute drought to start the second frame.
DePaul went on to shoot 59 percent in the second half, and was not corralled until the final five and a half minutes of the game when the Saluki defense held the Blue Demons to only four points.
Southern will look to rebound with a return trip to Chicago next Sunday, Dec. 14 against Chicago State at 2 p.m.
