Southern Illinois University
4-18, 3-9MVC
Creighton
14-7, 9-3MVC
Women's Basketball loses at Creighton, 63-41
02/11/2010 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 11, 2010
By Shalae Patrick
www.SIUSalukis.com
OMAHA, Neb. - The Southern Illinois women's basketball team shot a season-low 22 percent from the field producing its lowest point total of the season to fall in Missouri Valley Conference play at Creighton Thursday night in D.J. Sokol Arena, 63-41.
"(The offense) just didn't show up," Saluki head coach Missy Tiber said. "We're to the point now where we have two scorers that are producing all of our points for us. Unfortunately we just don't have the personnel that can step up and make the open shots."
The Salukis (4-18, 3-9 MVC) jumped out to an early 7-0 lead before the Bluejays (14-7, 9-3 MVC) answered with an 11-to-4 run to tie the game at 11-all at the 12:15 mark.
Southern was held to just one field goal in the final 14 minutes of the first half, the team's other four points coming at the free throw line. The Salukis went into the locker room at the break down by 11 points, 28-17. SIU was 1-of-17 from the field during that stretch, shooting 18.5 percent (5-of-27) from the field in the half.
The Salukis would come within 10 points at the beginning of the second half before the Bluejays answered with a 9-to-0 run to go up 19. CU led by as many as 27 points with just under two minutes to play in the game.
"We tried every approach that we possibly could tonight just to get some different players involved and try to get some looks," Tiber added. "My fear coming into this game tonight was that we were not going to get open shots. We got looks, we just couldn't make them. (Creighton) forced us to shoot quickly because they recover fast and were switching screens."
Teri Oliver led the Salukis with 15 points, while Stephany Neptune added 11 points and 11 rebounds. Katrina Swingler was scoreless in the game, but contributed eight rebounds and three assists.
The Bluejays put three players in double-figures led by Sam Schuett with 17 points and six rebounds. Kellie Nelson added 16 points and five boards, while Kelsey Woodard pitched in 10 points, recording her 1,000th career point in the contest. The loss brings SIU's road total to 0-22, dating back to December, 2008.
The Salukis return to action Saturday, Feb. 13, when they travel to Drake for a 2 p.m. tip-off.
