Southern Illinois University
4-9, 0-4MVC
Creighton
8-8, 3-2MVC
Women's Basketball loses to Creighton at home, 55-43
01/15/2009 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 15, 2009
By Shalae Patrick
www.siusalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois (4-9, 0-4) women's basketball team was held under 45 points for the third time this season, falling at home in Missouri Valley Conference play to Creighton (8-8, 3-2), 55-43, in SIU Arena Thursday night.
"This kind of the same old, same old, that we encountered on the road (last weekend)," Saluki head coach Dana Eikenberg said. "We're doing a better job defensively and I'm pleased with our effort. I thought we interrupted a lot of things that they wanted to do."
After a 26-all tie at the mid-way point, the Salukis held Creighton scoreless for the first seven minutes of the second half. In those seven minutes the Salukis managed just three points on a free throw and a Jasmine Gibson layup at the 16-minute mark.
Megan Neuvirth broke the drought for the Bluejays with a jumper, followed by two straight Chevelle Herring 3-pointers, a DaNae Moore bucket and two more Creighton threes to bust out a 16-to-4 run.
"They are a very good team they just make basketball plays and they've got some really good kids that can knock down shots offensively," Eikenberg added.
The Salukis pulled back within seven, 37-44, on an Alex Hart layup, but couldn't recover, shooting just 25 percent (6-of-24) from the field in the second half.
"The only thing i can tell you about offense right now is that the only way you can get better is to get in the gym and thats where we're at as a team right now," Eikenberg said. "You have to make a commitment to being better as a team. If we make that, we will probably see a little better percentages."
Freshman Olivia Lett led the Salukis with 14 points and five rebounds, 2-of-4 from beyond the 3-point line. Erica Smith recorded nine points, adding three boards and three assists.
Herring led Creighton with a game-high 15 points, while Neuvirth and Kelsey Woodard pitched in 13-each. Neuvirth also added a game-high 11 boards.
The Salukis return to action Saturday, hosting Drake for "Pack the House" day at SIU Arena, tickets on sale for $1. Tip-off is at 3:05 p.m.
