Southern Illinois University
4-14, 1-7MVC
Wichita State
13-5, 7-0MVC
Wichita State outlasts Women's Basketball 78-68
01/21/2012 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 21, 2012
By Bill Ford
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Missouri Valley Conference leader Wichita State held off the Southern Illinois women's basketball team's late push as the Shocker's came out on top 78-68 Saturday at SIU Arena.
Fresh off their first MVC win of the season against Missouri State Thursday, the Salukis again looked to have one of the Valley's top teams on the ropes. Southern (4-14, 1-7 MVC) rallied from a 14-point deficit early in the second half to pull within one point with 6:49 remaining.
The Shockers (13-5, 7-0 MVC) kept SIU at arm's length in the final minutes, however, and extended the final margin to double digits by hitting 11 of 12 free throws down the stretch after the Salukis resorted to fouling.
"I'm disappointed that we didn't win, but very proud of how hard our kids fight and how hard we played tonight," said SIU coach Missy Tiber. "I think we got better tonight."
SIU's never led in the game, but rallied from several deficits to stay within striking distance throughout. The Shockers jumped out to a 12-2 lead in the first three minutes, but Southern came back to cut the deficit to 15-14 at the 10:21 mark.
The two teams traded baskets over the next four minutes before WSU finally broke free with a 5-0 run to take a 28-21 lead with 2:44 remaining. Ultimately, the Shockers went into halftime up 34-27.
SIU turned the ball over 13 times in the first half with eight turnovers coming from freshman point guard Cartaesha Macklin.
"I don't think it was a lack of focus. I think we were ready to play," Tiber said of the first half. "Cartaesha was just having a rough time. That is a very good defensive team and a freshman 2-guard running the point. We had some guards that didn't want the ball in their hands and weren't coming to it."
The Salukis came out halftime sluggish, allowing WSU to start the half on an 11-4 run to take its biggest lead of the game at 45-31 three minutes into the half.
"I think maybe there was a little bit of a lack of focus to start the second half," Tiber said.
SIU slowly worked its way back into contention over the ensuing seven minutes. The Salukis used an 8-0 run to draw within 51-48 at the 10:11 mark of the second half. WSU promptly went back up six, but the Salukis didn't let them extend past that over the next few minutes.
Southern made another push with a 5-0 run to cut the margin to 60-59 at the 6:49 mark. After drawing within one point, the Salukis couldn't get a shot to fall to put them over the hump. SIU had the ball three times with a chance to tie or go ahead over the next three minutes, but missed open looks each time.
"We were getting looks that we wanted, we just didn't make them," Tiber said. "I think is a matter of, one of those goes in and we are right there."
The Salukis resorted to fouling over the final three minutes and the Shockers made them pay from the charity stripe.
Teri Oliver led SIU with 23 points while Macklin pitched in 22 points and a career-high 13 rebounds for her first double-double as a Saluki.
"We had 21 offensive rebounds, so I know we are playing real hard and trying to get after the ball," Tiber said. "Our defense wasn't as good as it should have been and we let them score 26 points off of our turnovers, which is a little bit discouraging."
WSU's Chynna Turner led all scorers with 24 points while Haleigh Lankster added 17 and Jessica Diamond finished with 15 for the Shockers.
"That is a well-coached team and they have some experienced players on the court. There is a reason they have won nine straight and they are undefeated in the league at this point," Tiber said. "If they are the best, then I like where we're at and where we are getting to."
Southern will wrap up a three-game homestand Thursday, Jan. 26 with a non-conference tilt against Murray State.
