Friday, March 10
Quad Cities, Ill.
2:30 p.m.
Southern Illinois University
16-14, 10-8
60
vs
73
Wichita State University
15-15, 9-9
1
2
3
4
F
Wichita State
11
14
21
27
73
Southern Illinois
11
17
16
16
60
Photo by: William Connor
Salukis fall to Shockers in MVC Tournament Quarterfinals
03/10/2017 | 7:33:00 | Women's Basketball
SIU falls to 16-14 overall.
MOLINE, Ill. -- Rangie Bessard scored 30 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead the Wichita State Shockers to a 73-60 win over the Southern Illinois Salukis in the quarterfinals of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Friday afternoon.
The Salukis (16-14, 10-8 MVC) swept the season series from the Shockers and held the All-MVC First Team selection to 12 and 17 points, respectively in their first two meetings. But Bessard was not to be denied Friday, as she scored 11 of her 30 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Shockers to the MVC Tournament semifinals and a date with the top-seeded Drake Bulldogs.
"(Wichita State) did an amazing job on the defensive end but where they really hurt was on the offensive glass," Rishonda Napier said. "I feel like we were able to run our plays and get the ball to the spots we wanted, but we just couldn't come up with those defensive rebounds and it was too much Rangie."
The two sides were tied, 11-11 after the first quarter and a three-pointer by Lauren Hartman as time expired at the half gave Southern a 28-25 lead. The Salukis took their largest lead, 42-35 on Carlie Corrigan's second three-pointer of the contest with 4:51 remaining in the third quarter.
But it was the Shockers who this time mounted a comeback down the stretch. Wichita State ripped off an 11-2 run to close out the third, a run that they extended to 16-2 by scoring the first five points of the fourth. WSU outscored SIU 22-10 over the last 6:38 to seal the win.
"Obviously we did not play the way we wanted to," fourth-year head coach Cindy Stein said. "I felt like we played really hard. I knew if it was going to be loose as far as the physicality of the game Wichita would have the advantage and they did. That is just the name of the game."
Southern had four score in double figures led by Kylie Giebelhausen. The All-MVC First-Teamer had 16 points on 6-of-16 shooting, including 4-of-8 from behind the arc and added seven rebounds in 40 minutes. Kim Nebo added 12 points and eight rebounds, while Rishonda Napier scored 10 points and dished out eight assists. Corrigan chipped in 11 points and three assists.
Napier, who may have played her final game as a Saluki, was emotional after the game as she reflected on her four years in Carbondale.
"Coach, I'm so grateful for you," Napier said, fighting back tears as she addressed Stein and the media gathered at the postgame press conference. "As a team my freshman year we went to the athletic director and we shared our vision for this program and what we want for the Salukis and we asked him to bring in somebody that will take us there. (Stein) accepted the job with a bunch of knuckleheads with all the talent in the world, but we lacked discipline and toughness. This is my last game and I went out with three winning seasons in a row, and that's because of her."
The Salukis will now await word on weather a postseason berth is in the cards. Southern played in the Women's Basketball Invitational a year ago and could receive a bid once again this year. The WBI committee announces selections on Monday, March 13.
The Salukis (16-14, 10-8 MVC) swept the season series from the Shockers and held the All-MVC First Team selection to 12 and 17 points, respectively in their first two meetings. But Bessard was not to be denied Friday, as she scored 11 of her 30 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Shockers to the MVC Tournament semifinals and a date with the top-seeded Drake Bulldogs.
"(Wichita State) did an amazing job on the defensive end but where they really hurt was on the offensive glass," Rishonda Napier said. "I feel like we were able to run our plays and get the ball to the spots we wanted, but we just couldn't come up with those defensive rebounds and it was too much Rangie."
The two sides were tied, 11-11 after the first quarter and a three-pointer by Lauren Hartman as time expired at the half gave Southern a 28-25 lead. The Salukis took their largest lead, 42-35 on Carlie Corrigan's second three-pointer of the contest with 4:51 remaining in the third quarter.
But it was the Shockers who this time mounted a comeback down the stretch. Wichita State ripped off an 11-2 run to close out the third, a run that they extended to 16-2 by scoring the first five points of the fourth. WSU outscored SIU 22-10 over the last 6:38 to seal the win.
"Obviously we did not play the way we wanted to," fourth-year head coach Cindy Stein said. "I felt like we played really hard. I knew if it was going to be loose as far as the physicality of the game Wichita would have the advantage and they did. That is just the name of the game."
Southern had four score in double figures led by Kylie Giebelhausen. The All-MVC First-Teamer had 16 points on 6-of-16 shooting, including 4-of-8 from behind the arc and added seven rebounds in 40 minutes. Kim Nebo added 12 points and eight rebounds, while Rishonda Napier scored 10 points and dished out eight assists. Corrigan chipped in 11 points and three assists.
Napier, who may have played her final game as a Saluki, was emotional after the game as she reflected on her four years in Carbondale.
"Coach, I'm so grateful for you," Napier said, fighting back tears as she addressed Stein and the media gathered at the postgame press conference. "As a team my freshman year we went to the athletic director and we shared our vision for this program and what we want for the Salukis and we asked him to bring in somebody that will take us there. (Stein) accepted the job with a bunch of knuckleheads with all the talent in the world, but we lacked discipline and toughness. This is my last game and I went out with three winning seasons in a row, and that's because of her."
The Salukis will now await word on weather a postseason berth is in the cards. Southern played in the Women's Basketball Invitational a year ago and could receive a bid once again this year. The WBI committee announces selections on Monday, March 13.
Team Stats
WICH
SIU
FG%
.418
.397
3FG%
.231
.474
FT%
.667
.455
RB
43
37
TO
10
15
STL
9
6
Game Leaders
Pts
16
FGM
6
3FGM
4
FTM
0
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
1
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G/F
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
F/C
/ Women's BasketballPG
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