Salukis shine in final preseason tune up

Friday, November 4

Carbondale, Ill.

6 PM

Southern Illinois University

114

MacMurray (Exhibition)

Team	1	2	3	4	F
MacMurray College	0	10	11	3	24
Southern Illinois	33	21	27	33	114

11/04/2016 | 9:54:00 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Will Becque, SIUSalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Seven players hit double figures as the Southern Illinois women's basketball team blew past MacMurray College, 114-24, Friday night at the SIU Arena in the Salukis' final exhibition game of the season.

Freshman Kristen Nelson led the way with 20 points on 8-for-12 shooting, including 2-for-3 from beyond the arc. Senior Carlie Corrigan, freshmen Brittney Patrick and Nicole Martin each added 14 points. Martin also chipped in eight rebounds and three steals.

Junior Kylie Giebelhausen had 10 points, four assists and five steals, while redshirt junior Rishonda Napier and freshman Caitlyn Claussen each added 11. Redshirt freshman Tiajaney Hawkins tallied seven points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals.

With SIU's season opener against Big 12 foe Oklahoma looming, it was paramount during the Salukis preseason tilts to get playing time for Southern's five newcomers.

"Our young kids need confidence," fourth-year head coach Cindy Stein said. "They're going to get that confidence by getting more reps. We have to go into a game against Oklahoma and we can't have anyone hiding or insecure. You have to go in there and expect to win and play like you expect to win."

All 12 Salukis that dressed scored, with all 12 clocking at least 10 minutes of playing time.

The Salukis opened the game on a 35-0 run that spanned the first 11 minutes of the contest. MacMurray got on the scoreboard with 8:44 to play in the second quarter, and the Salukis led 54-10 at the break.

SIU's defensive effort was in midseason form during the first half, forcing 20 turnovers that resulted in 32 Saluki points. As if the relentless defensive pressure wasn't enough for the visiting Highlanders, the Salukis also shot 55.9% (19-of-34) from the field.

"We were trying to focus on our chemistry and getting a lot of kids playing time," Stein said. "Sometimes that can be really hard in exhibition games. Defense was our main focus, getting out in passing lanes and making them have tough catches. We got to the second half and it was all about our execution."

The second half was more of the same, as SIU outscored MacMurray, 60-14, including 33-3 in the fourth quarter. The Salukis forced a total of 38 turnovers, and scored 66 points off of those turnovers.

SIU shot 53.9% (41-of-76) from the field for the game, including 10-of-21 (47.6%) from 3-point range.

The Salukis return to action Sunday, Nov. 13 when they take on the Sooners in Norman, Okla. Tip-off is set for 12:30 p.m.