Southern Illinois University
0-1
DePaul
1-0
No. 22 DePaul cruises past SIU in Season Opener
11/13/2015 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
By: Will Becque
SIUSalukis.com
CHICAGO -- The No. 22 DePaul Blue Demons cruised to a 105-61 win over Southern Illinois University in the opening round of the 2015 Preaseason WNIT Friday night at the McGrath-Phillips Arena.
SIU had its hands full with the speed and intensity of DePaul's full-court press, as the Blue Demons forced 23 turnovers that resulted in 30 points.
"The press just got to us," said head coach Cindy Stein. "We handled it really well at times, but when we got tired, our point guards got tired and we turned the ball over because they did not make themselves available."
The contest was never in doubt, as DePaul opened the game on a 10-4 run and didn't look back. The Blue Demons took full advantage of redshirt senior Dyana Pierre's absence, outrebounding the Salukis, 43-32. The Blue Demons capitalized on second chances opportunities as well, scoring 24 points off of their 18 offensive rebounds.
"DePaul is a great team, and they're picked to win the Big East for a reason, said Stein. "I just thought we battled at times, we took some of their best punches and had answers but we need to be able to do that consistently."
SIU was led in scoring by redshirt junior guard Rishonda Napier, who finished with 15 points on 7-of-15 shooting. Redshirt senior guard Cartaesha Macklin added 11 points, seven assists and four rebounds.
"This was a great game for us to have because when you can have a game at this level against this kind of speed and intensity and defensive pressure, its going to make us better," said Stein. "We got everyone in, we got a lot of kids feet wet, they know the intensity now that we have to play at and we did some really good things."
Two players who impressed with their expanded roles in the season opener were junior forward Kim Nebo and sophomore forward Celina VanHyfte.
"I think Kim Nebo and Celina VanHyfte are going to get better and better, and both of them are going to be really key players for us all year long," said Stein. "Both did some really good things today as far as controlling the boards, playing some defense and were both really scrappy."
Nebo, making her first career start, established a new career-high with a team-best eight rebounds, as did VanHyfte, who finished with six rebounds and seven points off the bench.
The Salukis came as close as eight points, 36-28 with 5:44 to play in the second quarter on a 3-pointer by junior guard Carlie Corrigan, but the Blue Demons responded with an 11-0 run to put the game out of reach.
The contest marked the 13th meeting between the two schools dating back to 1979, with the Blue Demons now sporting a 10-3 record against Southern, and have won all eight games against the Salukis under head coach Doug Bruno.
SIU will await news as to who and where they will play next, but will begin play in the Preseason WNIT consolation bracket on Friday, November 20.
