Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Women's Basketball hosts Illinois State, Indiana State this weekend
02/17/2009 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 17, 2009
www.siusalukis.com
Game Facts
Date/Time: Thursday, February 19, 12:05 p.m. CST (Illinois State)
Saturday, February 21, 2:05 p.m. CST (Indiana State)
Site: Carbondale, Ill. - SIU Arena (9,409)
Head Coaches: Dana Eikenberg (89-162 overall, 51-88 at SIU)
Robin Pingeton (107-69 overall and at ILS)
Jim Wiedie (153-103 overall and at INS)
Radio: 810 AM Patrick Erickson (play-by-play), Julie Beck (color)
Video Webcast: www.siusalukis.com
Audio Webcast: www.siusalukis.com
Livestats: www.siusalukis.com
Series: SIU trails the series, 44-47
Last Meeting: ILS def. SIU in Normal, 75-51
Up Next: The Salukis host Indiana State Saturday for a 2:05 p.m. tip-off
Scouting Illinois State
The Illinois State Redbirds return four starters from a team that went 26-7 overall and 13-5 in the Missouri Valley, tied for first-place in the league a year ago. This season the team is 20-4 overall and 11-1 in the MVC, led by sixth-year head coach Robin Pingeton. The Redbirds are led by two-time MVC Player of the Year Kristi Cirone averaging 18.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 2.4 steals per game.
SIU/ILS Series History
Southern Illinois will meet Illinois State for the 92nd time in program history. SIU trails the series, 44-47. SIU has taken 4 of the last 8 meetings. The Redbirds took two of three meetings last season taking their games at SIU Arena and in the second round of the MVC Tournament. This season, the Salukis fell in Normal, 75-51.
Scouting Indiana State
The Indiana State Sycamores return three starters from a team that went 14-15 overall and 8-10 in the Missouri Valley, good for sixth-place in the league a year ago. This season, the team is 12-11 overall and 8-4 in the MVC, led by ninth-year head coach Jim Wiedie. INS has two players averaging double-figures led by Kelsey Luna (14.5 ppg) and Leah Phillips (10.7 ppg), however Phillips has missed the last 10 games with a knee injury and Luna missed the Sycamore's last game.
SIU/INS Series History
Southern Illinois will meet Indiana State for the 71st time in program history. SIU leads the series, 39-31. INS has taken 16 of the last 18 meetings. The teams split two meetings last season, each team winning on its own court, SIU victorious 95-76 at SIU Arena and INS the winner, 77-68 at the Hulman Center. Earlier this season, the Salukis fell at Terre Haute, 63-37.
Gibson Hits 1,000 in 100
Saluki senior Jasmine Gibson made a jumper with 12-minutes remaining in regulation at Drake, Feb. 12 to become the 20th player in SIU program history to hit the 1,000-point plateau. Gibson hit the mark in her 100th-career game to post a career average of 10.0 points per contest. She is one of 17 four-year players to average double-digit career scoring and the first since Molly McDowell (1999-2003). She is the 21st Saluki in program history to reach 900 points.
Smith, Gibson in Century Club
In her fourth season as a Saluki, Erica Smith has seen action in 112 games in her career. The 32nd Saluki to play in 100 career games, she is ranked in the top-10 list at SIU. If Smith sees action in the final five regular-season games she will be fifth all-time at SIU. Smith's teammate Jasmine Gibson hit the century mark Feb. 12 at Drake, the 33rd Saluki to play in 100 games.
Home Sweet Home
The Salukis are 6-4 playing at SIU Arena this season, including winning three of the last four games at home during a four-game homestand, the longest of the season.
Smith Academic All-District
Senior guard Erica Smith was one of 11 student-athletes named to the 2009 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District V Women's Basketball Team selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Smith, who carries a 3.73 GPA in business management and marketing, garnered second-team honors. The senior has been named to the Missouri Valley Conference scholar-athlete team in 2007 and 2008.
Smith Endures
Saluki senior Erica Smith has played every minute of nine games in her four-year career at SIU, including six this season. She has played in 40-plus minutes in eight games this season, and played over 35 minutes in 32 games in her career.
Eikenberg Hits Half-Century Mark
Saluki head coach Dana Eikenberg picked up her 50th win at SIU with a victory over Missouri State Jan. 31. Eikenberg, in her fifth season with SIU and ninth season as a Division I head coach, is 51-88 at SIU and 89-162 overall. In four seasons at the University of Missouri-Kansas City she was 38-74, helping to rebuild the Kangaroos program.
In at Least Six Wins This Season the Salukis...
- Played at home
- Shot between 40 and 50 percent from the field
- Shot better than their opponent
- Made more 3-pointers
- Out-rebounded their opponents
- Held opponents to 76 points or less
- Scored over 60 points
Salukis Snap Skid
The Salukis held Wichita State to one point in overtime to snap an eight-game losing streak and pick up their first Missouri Valley Conference win of the season Thursday, Jan. 29.
Starters Spur Offense
After 22 games this season, the Salukis have two players averaging double-digits, both starters. SIU's starters have contributed to 76 percent (991 of 1300 points) of the Salukis' offense this season.
Saluki Starters
In 20 games this season the Salukis have used nine different lineups. The only player to start the first 15 games is senior forward Jasmine Gibson. Senior Erica Smith was absent in one starting lineup, while Katrina Swingler has started all but three contests.
Conference Start
SIU dropped its first seven Missouri Valley Conference games (0-7) for the first time in four years, since 2004-05.
SIU in Conference Openers
Southern Illinois is 14-12 in conference openers since the 1983-84 season. The Salukis have won three of the last four conference openers, 3-2 under fifth-year head coach Dana Eikenberg.
SIU in Non-Conference Play
Dana Eikenberg has guided the Salukis to a 20-34 record in non-conference play. When playing in SIU Arena, Eikenberg's teams are 12-9.
In February
SIU is 168-119 all-time in the month of February since 1974-75, including a 10-22 mark under Dana Eikenberg.
In January
SIU is 152-128 all-time in the month of January since 1974-75, including a 13-26 mark under Dana Eikenberg.
In December
SIU is 93-97 all-time in the month of December, including a 13-15 mark under Dana Eikenberg.
In November
SIU is 40-56 all-time during the month of November, including a 8-16 record under Dana Eikenberg.
In March
SIU is 49-54 all-time in the month of March since 1974-75, including a 6-9 mark under Dana Eikenberg.
Salukis vs. the State
Southern Illinois 226-120 versus other schools in the state of Illinois. Eikenberg is 8-19 against the state.
Best Non-Conference Since...
The Salukis are 4-5 this season in non-conference play this season. It is the best non-conference record since 2001-02.
