Southern Illinois University
4-8, 0-3MVC
Northern Iowa
5-9, 3-1MVC
Women's Basketball falls on the road at UNI
01/11/2009 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 11, 2009
By Shalae Patrick
www.siusalukis.com
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - The Southern Illinois (4-8, 0-3) women's basketball team was held to its lowest point total of the season, shooting just 43 percent from the free throw line, falling on the road at Northern Iowa (5-9, 3-1) in Missouri Valley Conference play Sunday afternoon, 54-41, in the McLeod Center.
"Let's give our kids some credit, I thought we played harder today than we did Friday against Bradley," Saluki head coach Dana Eikenberg said. "I was pleased to see that. I thought our guards did a great job of containing a couple quick hitters for UNI and keeping them in check. We didn't do a very good job today in post play. We just didn't get it done."
SIU held its first lead of the game 16-14 on a 3-pointer by Alex Hart with 9:26 left in the first half. UNI called a time out to regroup and came out on a 10-to-0 run, the Salukis scoreless for the next seven and a half minutes.
Karlee Myers ended the drought with a layup with 1:45 left in the period, the Panthers taking a 30-24 lead into the locker room at the break.
Southern scored eight points in the final 10 minutes of the game all eight by Adrianne Griffith who finished with nine tying a career best.
"I was pleased to see (Adrianne Griffith) come off the bench," Eikenberg added. "I thought she at least wanted the ball and went hard at it. It's tough when you can't make layups and free throws on someone else's court."
UNI was a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line down the stretch, while SIU made good of just 2-of-9 attempts from the line in the final 10 minutes and 15 seconds of the game.
UNI's Lizzie Boeck came off the bench for the Panthers to record a game-high 22 points. SIU's Jasmine Gibson was the only other player to reach double-digits leading the Salukis with 12 for the second-straight game.
Sunday marked the first time this season the Panthers were held under 60 points and won.
The Salukis were beat on the boards by over 10 for the second-straight game, 34-to-23.
The Salukis were handed their fourth straight loss, third consecutive road loss. SIU's 0-3 start in Valley play is the worst since the 2004-05 season.
The Salukis return to SIU Arena for a two-game home stand hosting Creighton (Jan. 15, 7:05 p.m.) and Drake (Jan. 17, 3:05 p.m.). The game against Drake is Pack the Arena day with tickets for $1 each.
