Southern Illinois University
3-15 (2-6MVC)
Missouri State
13-6 (5-3MVC)
Women's Basketball loses heartbreaker to Missouri State, 69-68
01/29/2010 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 28, 2010
By Shalae Patrick
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois women's basketball team trailed by as many as 12 points in the second half only to come back and regain the lead before falling to Missouri State, 69-68, in Missouri Valley Conference play Thursday night in SIU Arena.
The Salukis were 2-of-10 from the field in the final six minutes of play, and were out-rebounded 7-to-2 down the stretch.
"I think this is a heartbreaking loss," Saluki head coach Missy Tiber said. "I think without a doubt, we played hard enough, but we didn't play disciplined enough to win. We had 23 turnovers and gave up 18 offensive rebounds and we sent them to the free throw line 24 times. You just can't do that against a good team."
Missouri State (13-6, 5-3 MVC) led the entire first half, taking a three-point lead over Southern Illinois (3-15, 2-6 MVC) into the locker room at the break, 34-31.
The Bears pushed their half-time lead to 12 at the 14:14 mark on two Casey Garrison free throws, before the Salukis called a timeout and began a 17-to-5 run to tie the game at 57-all.
The teams traded jumpers tied 59-59 before a Stephany Neptune free throw gave SIU its first lead of the game with just under seven minutes to play. The Salukis led by as many as four points, up one, 68-67, at the minute mark.
A Christiana Shorter jumper with three seconds left in the game put the Bears up one before the Salukis missed their final shot of the game at the buzzer.
Teri Oliver led the Salukis with a game-high 24 points, and Christine Presswood added 20 points, five boards and three assists. Neptune finished with nine points and 10 rebounds before fouling out with just over a minute left in the game.
Katrina Swingler added eight points and five rebounds, and Nneka Nwani came off the bench for seven points and six boards.
Garrison led MSU with 22 points and nine rebounds, while Shorter finished 21 points and 11 rebounds.
The Salukis return to action Saturday, Jan. 30, when they host Wichita State. Tip-off is set for 2:05 p.m.
