Southern Illinois University
0-7, 0-0MVC
Tennessee Tech
4-4, 1-0OVC
Women's Basketball falls at Tennessee Tech, 59-56
12/12/2009 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 12, 2009
By Shalae Patrick
www.SIUSalukis.com
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - The Southern Illinois women's basketball team came within one point of its first win of the season with one second left in the game, but couldn't overcome a cold first half at Tennessee Tech Saturday afternoon, 59-56.
"We had that on/off switch going on tonight picking and choosing when we were going to turn it off and turn it on," Saluki head coach Missy Tiber said. "Unfortunately you can't do that, waiting until the last three minutes of the game to put that pressure on."
The Salukis (0-7) shot a frigid 26.9 percent (7-of-26) from the field during the first half, the Golden Eagles (4-4) taking a 31-22 lead at the break.
TTU led by as many as 13 points early in the second half, before the Salukis would pull within four points with just under two minutes left in the game.
A Stephany Neptune jumper put the game at 56-54 with 16 seconds on the clock in Tennessee Tech's favor. The Salukis then committed a foul, putting TTU at the line for two. The Golden Eagles converted just one, up by three, the ball in SIU's possession, the clock at eight seconds.
The Salukis settled for two on a Christine Presswood layup to pull within one point with one second left on the clock, having to foul to get the ball back. TTU's Kellie Cook converted both of her free throws to put her team up three to end the game.
"We fought hard, but there was too much turning it on and taking it off, lackadaisical playing. We just can't do that," Tiber added. "As an offensive whole, 56 points is just not good enough to win basketball games, especially on the road. You can't come into an arena and shoot 26 percent in the first half and give up six threes and think you are going to be competitive."
Presswood led the Salukis with a career-best 22 points and seven boards, while Teri Oliver added 15 points, five boards and two steals. Neptune added eight points, nine rebounds, three assists, four blocks and a steal.
The Golden Eagles were led by Cook with a game-high 23 points and nine rebounds.
"We just have to continue to work as coaches and prepare our kids," Tiber said. "I don't think anyone thinks they bust it for 40 minutes each game to lose. We are all working hard and eventually it will come."
The Salukis return home Dec. 18, hosting Murray State for an 8:05 p.m. tip-off in SIU Arena.
