Southern Illinois University
4-2,0-0MVC
Saint Louis University
5-2,0-0Atlantic 10
Strong fourth quarter lifts Salukis to 61-53 win over Billikens
11/27/2019 | 5:54:00 | Women's Basketball
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois University women's basketball team outscored St. Louis University, 21-14 in the fourth quarter to defeat the Billikens, 61-53 Wednesday afternoon inside Banterra Center.
In what was a close game for its entirety, as neither team led by more than eight, the Salukis (4-2) used a 12-2 run over 3:24 from the end of the third quarter to the start of the fourth to build a six-point lead, 47-41 with 7:39 to go in regulation. Saint Louis got to within three, 47-44 with 5:41 to play, but Southern answered with a basket and kept a two-possession lead for the remainder of the contest.
"We are fortunate to have come out with the win today," seventh-year head coach Cindy Stein said. "St. Louis is a good team. They are very good defensively and a great rebounding team. I'm really proud of our ladies. We did everything we could to figure out ways to score and we tried to limit them offensively as much as we could."
Southern's starters played a lion's share of the minutes, as SIU's starting five of Abby Brockmeyer, Nicole Martin, Brittney Patrick, Makenzie Silvey and Kristen Nelson all played at least 31 minutes and all five played all 10 minutes of the fourth quarter to seal the win. Southern's five starters accounted for 90.1% (55-of-61) of its scoring in the victory.
"I felt like our bench played really well in the first half and did some really good things," Stein said. "But we had a group that was playing so well that I didn't want to mix it up too much because they were playing so well together in the second half."
SIU shot 50% (7-of-14) from the field in the fourth quarter and shot 40% from the floor for the game. Southern's 40-percent shooting is the best that an opponent has shot against St. Louis (5-2), who entered the contest holding opponents to 48.3 points per game on 29.2% shooting. Southern also held SLU to a season-low 32 rebounds, as they won the battle of the boards, 37-to-32. The Salukis also avenged last season's 62-58 loss at St. Louis that saw the Billikens pull away late.
"Our kids played really gritty," Stein said. "SLU was a team that beat us last year that we felt like we could battle with. We knew coming in that they are a great defensive team that rebounds extremely well. We out-rebounded them and found ways to score. It was an ugly game- but that doesn't matter when you win."
Martin led the way, as she scored 12 of her team-high 18 points in the fourth stanza. The two-time All-MVC First Team selection was 7-for-14 from the field and added seven rebounds, two assists and a block.
"My coaches let me know what was open," Martin said of her fourth quarter. "I like to fade away from contact and they told me to go at them. When I started to actually listen and do it, it worked out well."
Silvey reached double figures in scoring for the 16th-straight game. The 2019 All-MVC honorable mention honoree scored eight of her 14 points in the second half and added six rebounds and two assists.
Brockmeyer finished with eight points and a game-high 11 rebounds in 31 minutes of work, while Patrick added six points, four assists and three boards. Nelson chipped in nine points, three assists and three steals.
Southern's win over St. Louis was its first over the Billikens since Nov. 14, 2008.
The Salukis are back in action on Tuesday, Dec. 3 when they host UT Martin at 6 p.m. inside Banterra Center.
