Southern Illinois University
4-7, 0-2
Bradley
12-2, 3-0
Women's Basketball drops third-straight at Bradley
01/09/2009 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 9, 2009
By Shalae Patrick
www.siusalukis.com
EAST PEORIA, Ill. - The Southern Illinois (4-7, 0-2) women's basketball team couldn't overcome a 27-point deficit at halftime falling on the road in Missouri Valley Conference play at Bradley (12-2, 3-0), 73-49, Friday night in Lorene Ramsey Gym.
"Let's credit Bradley for a good game," Saluki head coach Dana Eikenberg said. "They play together as a team. We missed three straight layups after the tip and from that point on we didn't have any leadership and poise on the court that was able to pull it back together."
The Salukis were held to five first-half field goals, shooting just 25 percent (5-of-20) from the field, trailing 43-16 at the break.
Bradley hit five first-half threes, shooting 62.5 percent (5-of-8) from beyond the arc and 55 percent (17-of-31) from the field. The Braves also took advantage of 16 first-half Saluki turnovers, turning them into 26 points.
The Salukis out-scored the Braves 33-30 in the second half, recording just four turnovers, but the damage had been done.
Bradley out-rebounded Southern in the second half 30-to-14, including 16 offensive boards put back for 14 second-chance points.
Jasmine Gibson was the lone Saluki in double-digits with 12 points. Lacie Ward came off the bench for a career-high nine points, 3-of-8 from beyond the 3-point arc.
All 14 Bradley players that entered the game scored and had at least one rebound for the Braves. BU put three players in double figures led by Jenny Van Kirk with 12. Sonya Harris and Hanna Muegge added 10 points each.
"We're missing a point guard and that's a pretty severe weakness right now," Eikenberg added. "We need to get ourselves pieced back together and try to get one at UNI."
The Salukis wrap up a two-game road trip at Northern Iowa Sunday for a 3 p.m. tip-off.
