Southern Illinois University
14-9, 7-4MVC
Bradley
6-16, 2-9MVC
Salukis Topple Braves, 65-51
02/07/2016 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
PEORIA, Ill. - Celina VanHyfte scored a career-high 13 points while Kim Nebo tied a career-best with 15 rebounds as the Salukis toppled the Bradley Braves, 65-51, Sunday inside Renaissance Coliseum.
The Salukis (14-9, 7-4 MVC) controlled the action thanks to their post players, VanHyfte and Nebo. The duo helped the Salukis out-rebound the Braves, 46-to-38, and scored 28 of their 65 points in the paint, many of which came on layups by its post players.
"Our posts did a really good job of rotating in and providing a presence on the boards," said SIU head coach Cindy Stein. "They gave us some really nice shots underneath the basket in a really physical ballgame."
VanHyfte finished with a career-high 13 points on 6-of-12 shooting, and tied a career-best with nine rebounds. The sophomore forward is from Annawan, Ill., a short drive from Peoria and was playing in front of friends and family.
"I had my own little cheering section," said VanHyfte. "My mom didn't tell me that all these people were going to come and watch me. That was a great confidence boost."
Kylie Giebelhausen, a native of East Peoria, Ill., also had her own cheering section, and responded by scoring eight of SIU's first 14 points. Early foul trouble limited Giebelhausen until the second half, as she returned to finish with a team-high 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting, including 3-for-6 from three-point range.
"I loved [Giebelhausen's] demeanor coming back into the game in the third quarter," said Stein. "She was ready to play right from the get-go. She was assertive with her shot and she made a big difference out there when she was on the floor."
Cartaesha Macklin added 12 points, four rebounds and two steals while Nebo chipped in nine points and 15 rebounds in 31 minutes of play.
The Salukis shot 36.5 percent (23-of-63) from the field, including 5-of-17 (29.4%) from beyond the arc, and forced 17 turnovers- the second-most they have forced this season.
Bradley (6-16, 2-9 MVC) led 9-7 with 5:44 remaining in the first quarter before a jumper by Macklin and a three from Giebelhausen gave SIU its first lead at 12-9. Southern's lead remained three (18-15) after a layup by Bradley's Tamya Sims :37 seconds into the second quarter. The Salukis responded with a 13-0 run over the next four minutes to build a double-digit lead.
The Braves got to within eight on a free throw by Whitney Tinjum with 9:32 remaining in the third quarter, but could get no closer, as a 5-0 spurt by Southern pushed SIU's lead back to double-digits.
Bradley was led by Kat Yelle's 16 points and nine rebounds.
Southern Illinois returns to action next Sunday at Evansville. Tip-off against the Purple Aces is slated for 1 p.m. CT.
