Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
0-6
Colorado State
6-3
Women's Basketball loses to Colorado State, 62-53
12/06/2009 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 6, 2009
By Shalae Patrick
www.SIUSalukis.com
BERKELEY, Calif. - Kim Mestdagh led Colorado State with 30 points to push past Southern Illinois, 62-53, in the third-place game of the Colliers International Classic Sunday at the Haas Pavilion.
The loss knocks the Salukis to 0-6 on the season, while the Rams tally their sixth victory of the season for a 6-3 start.
The Rams led the entire game, keeping within seven points the first half, the Rams taking a two-point lead, 27-25, at halftime.
SIU came out of the locker room to tie the game twice to start the half, but couldn't overcome the Rams.
The Salukis were out-rebounded by 14 (50-to-36), the Rams tallying 19 offensive boards for 18 second-chance points.
Southern was led by senior guard/forward Stephany Neptune with 14 points, eight rebounds, six assists, three steals and a block. Freshman guard Teri Oliver added 12 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals, and junior forward Nneka Nwani was the third Saluki in double-figures with 10 points and a steal.
Mestdagh was 5-of-9 from beyond the arc for the Rams and pulled down nine rebounds, adding four assists, two blocks and three steals, while Natali Van Den Adel added 14 points.
SIU's Oliver was named to the Colliers International Classic All-Tournament Team after averaging 15.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 steals in two games.
The Salukis wrap up a three-game road test Saturday, Dec. 12, at Tennessee Tech. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m.
