Sunday, February 24
Valparaiso, IN
1 p.m.
Southern Illinois University
13-12 (6-8)
58
at
47
Valparaiso University
6-21 (2-13)
1
2
3
4
F
Southern Illinois
9
13
23
13
58
Valparaiso
12
5
14
16
47
Photo by: Will Becque
Salukis run away from Crusaders, 58-47
02/24/2019 | 7:10:00 | Women's Basketball
VALPARAISO, Ind. — The Southern Illinois University women's basketball team ran away from the Valparaiso Crusaders for a 58-47 win inside ARC Arena Sunday.
After Valparaiso (6-21, 2-13 MVC) scored the first five points of the second half to tie the contest at 22-all, Southern used a 13-1, highlighted by 11 of Makenzie Silvey's team-high 16 points, to open up a double-digit lead at 35-23 with 4:31 to play in the third.
Valparaiso got to within eight, 35-27 with just under three minutes to go in the third but seven-straight points by the Salukis pushed their lead back to double-digits for good. Southern has now won two-straight and three of its last four games.
"It's always tough to play on the road, regardless of where you are," sixth-year head coach Cindy Stein said. "It's always going to be a game of adjustments and our kids have figured that out. They changed how they were calling the game in the last four minutes and that has a huge effect. You can't complain about it, you have to change and change quickly. Those are some of the things we need to continue to do."
Silvey scored in double figures for the fifth-straight game, as she was an efficient 6-for-12 from the field for 16 points. Both Nicole Martin and Abby Brockmeyer came close to double-doubles- Martin had nine points and nine boards while Brockmeyer finished with eight points and 10 rebounds. Brittney Patrick chipped in two points, eight assists, three rebounds, and three steals,
Eight different Salukis scored in the win and Southern's bench outscored Valpo's reserves, 24-to-0. Kristen Nelson drained three three-pointers for nine points to lead SIU's second unit.
Southern's length and athleticism gave Valparaiso fits throughout the contest, as SIU held Valpo to 27.8% (15-of-54) shooting - the lowest they have held a conference opponent this season. SIU totaled five blocks, including a career-best two by Silvey.
"I think we're making huge progress," Stein said of her team's defensive effort. "Were finally getting locked in defensively. When we get a lead we get way too relaxed, but when we don't have a lead our kids are locked in, talking and that's part of us maturing as a team."
The Salukis also won the battle of the boards for the second-straight game, out-rebounding the Crusaders, 42-to-29.
Valparaiso burst out of the gate to take a 7-3 lead after four minutes of play and maintained a three-point lead, 12-9, at the end of the first.
SIU adjusted to Valpo's pace and turned up the defensive pressure. The Salukis held the Crusaders to just 7% (1-of-14) shooting in the second period and outscored Valparaiso, 13-5 to take a 22-17 lead into the half. It marked the second-straight game in which SIU has held its opponent to just five points in the second quarter.
With four conference games remaining, the Salukis will need pace to remain in the top-six of the conference standings and avoid the dreaded play-in games. SIU got help from travel partner Missouri State on Sunday, as the Lady Bears cruised to a 85-58 win over Loyola and the Salukis moved into sixth by virtue of the tiebreaker (head-to-head record).
The Salukis are back at SIU Arena for the final homestand of the 2019 season next weekend. Southern opens the two game home swing on Friday, March 1 against league-leading Drake. Tip-off against the Bulldogs is slated for 6 p.m.
After Valparaiso (6-21, 2-13 MVC) scored the first five points of the second half to tie the contest at 22-all, Southern used a 13-1, highlighted by 11 of Makenzie Silvey's team-high 16 points, to open up a double-digit lead at 35-23 with 4:31 to play in the third.
Valparaiso got to within eight, 35-27 with just under three minutes to go in the third but seven-straight points by the Salukis pushed their lead back to double-digits for good. Southern has now won two-straight and three of its last four games.
"It's always tough to play on the road, regardless of where you are," sixth-year head coach Cindy Stein said. "It's always going to be a game of adjustments and our kids have figured that out. They changed how they were calling the game in the last four minutes and that has a huge effect. You can't complain about it, you have to change and change quickly. Those are some of the things we need to continue to do."
Silvey scored in double figures for the fifth-straight game, as she was an efficient 6-for-12 from the field for 16 points. Both Nicole Martin and Abby Brockmeyer came close to double-doubles- Martin had nine points and nine boards while Brockmeyer finished with eight points and 10 rebounds. Brittney Patrick chipped in two points, eight assists, three rebounds, and three steals,
Eight different Salukis scored in the win and Southern's bench outscored Valpo's reserves, 24-to-0. Kristen Nelson drained three three-pointers for nine points to lead SIU's second unit.
Southern's length and athleticism gave Valparaiso fits throughout the contest, as SIU held Valpo to 27.8% (15-of-54) shooting - the lowest they have held a conference opponent this season. SIU totaled five blocks, including a career-best two by Silvey.
"I think we're making huge progress," Stein said of her team's defensive effort. "Were finally getting locked in defensively. When we get a lead we get way too relaxed, but when we don't have a lead our kids are locked in, talking and that's part of us maturing as a team."
The Salukis also won the battle of the boards for the second-straight game, out-rebounding the Crusaders, 42-to-29.
Valparaiso burst out of the gate to take a 7-3 lead after four minutes of play and maintained a three-point lead, 12-9, at the end of the first.
SIU adjusted to Valpo's pace and turned up the defensive pressure. The Salukis held the Crusaders to just 7% (1-of-14) shooting in the second period and outscored Valparaiso, 13-5 to take a 22-17 lead into the half. It marked the second-straight game in which SIU has held its opponent to just five points in the second quarter.
With four conference games remaining, the Salukis will need pace to remain in the top-six of the conference standings and avoid the dreaded play-in games. SIU got help from travel partner Missouri State on Sunday, as the Lady Bears cruised to a 85-58 win over Loyola and the Salukis moved into sixth by virtue of the tiebreaker (head-to-head record).
The Salukis are back at SIU Arena for the final homestand of the 2019 season next weekend. Southern opens the two game home swing on Friday, March 1 against league-leading Drake. Tip-off against the Bulldogs is slated for 6 p.m.
Team Stats
SIU
VALPO
FG%
.426
.278
3FG%
.421
.286
FT%
.588
.733
RB
42
29
TO
16
10
STL
5
8
Game Leaders
Pts
16
FGM
6
3FGM
3
FTM
1
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball11.21.25 | Saluki Radio Basketball Podcast - Jacksonville Classic
Friday, November 21
11.21.25 | Saluki Radio Preview - at #11 Illinois State
Friday, November 21
11.19.25 | Saluki Radio Football Podcast - #11 Illinois State
Wednesday, November 19
10.18.25 | Saluki Radio Postgame at NDSU - Davion Sykes
Tuesday, November 18