Southern Illinois University
2-11, 0-2MVC
Wichita State
7-6, 1-1MVC
Women's Basketball falls 76-53 at Wichita State
01/02/2011 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 2, 2011
By Bill Ford
SIUSalukis.com
WICHITA, Kan. — The Southern Illinois women's basketball team turned the ball over 27 times, never able to find an offensive rhythm in a 76-53 loss to Wichita State Sunday afternoon at Koch Arena.
The Salukis (2-11, 0-2 MVC) out-rebounded the Shockers (7-6, 1-1 MVC) 42-35, shot a better percentage from the floor (46.2 percent to 41.4 percent) and made more free throws (15 to 12), but were undone by offensive breakdowns throughout the night.
"I'm at a loss of what to do about these turnovers," SIU coach Missy Tiber said. "They were pressuring us and we didn't like it and we couldn't handle it very well. We don't have players to match up with their speed and athleticism."
Tiber said the team prepared a scheme to address the Shocker's full-court press that worked nicely. Once SIU got past the press, though, the Salukis couldn't seem to keep hold of the ball against Wichita State's half-court defense.
"I thought we established a press breaker and I thought that was effective," Tiber said. "We turned the ball over so much in the half-court set. We just could not get open. Give them credit. They were forcing us to do things we are not capable of doing."
The Salukis (2-11, 0-2 MVC) started strong, taking a 7-5 lead through the first four minutes. The Shockers (7-6, 1-1 MVC) fought back, however, using a 11-1 run to take a 20-11 lead midway through the half. Wichita State took its biggest lead of the half of 26-15 near the 7:14 mark before the Salukis used a 9-0 run to pull back within two.
The Shockers took back control for the remainder of the half, taking a 36-27 lead into halftime. Wichita State scored 14 points off SIU's 15 first-half turnovers.
"We actually made a nice run there in the first half to cut it to two. Then they took it back to nine at the half and I was a little bit worried at that point," Tiber said. "I told the girls at halftime, you can't win games in a half."
The Salukis continued to struggle to start the second half, turning the ball over nine more times and scoring just six points with one field goal the first 10 minutes to fall behind 52-33.
Southern improved offensively throughout the remainder of the half, managing 20 points in the last 10 minutes, but the Salukis still couldn't find a way to slow down the Shocker offense.
Teri Oliver led the Salukis with 16 points while CiCi Shannon added 11 points and 10 rebounds for her first career double-double to go along with four blocks. Also for SIU, Charnise Mitchell had 11 rebounds and Brooke LeMar had a career-best seven assists.
"The one bright spot was CiCi and the way she played, and I thought at times Charnise Mitchell played well for us," Tiber said.
SIU will be back at SIU Arena Thursday, Jan. 6, still looking for its first Missouri Valley Conference win against Drake.
"At least we get to go back home," Tiber said. "To start and play two conference games on the road, that's tough. We just got to continue to work."
