Southern Illinois University
12-6,4-3MVC
Indiana State University
2-18,0-8MVC
Salukis earn wire-to-wire win over Sycamores
01/26/2020 | 4:57:00 | Women's Basketball
Southern set season-bests in field goal percentage, 3-point field goal percentage and assists in the win.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Three Salukis scored in double figures to help the Southern Illinois University women's basketball team run away from the Indiana State Sycamores, 78-55, Sunday afternoon inside the Hulman Center.
The Salukis were locked in both offensively and defensively from the jump, as they scored 16-straight points in the first quarter to race out to a 20-4 lead.
Southern set season-bests in both field goal percentage (57.7%) and three-point field goal percentage (57.1%) in the win. SIU also recorded 26 assists on 30 field goals, won the rebounding battle, 32-to-24, and came away with 10 steals on 15 turnovers.
"I was really proud of our kids effort today," seventh-year head coach Cindy Stein said. "I felt like we got out to a good start. I thought we got a little sloppy at times but, at the same time, I was pleased with our play, pleased with our 24 points off the bench and that we took such good care of the ball against a team that puts a lot of pressure on the ball handler."
It was a wire-to-wire victory for the Salukis, who won their third-straight game and swept the Indiana road swing of Valley play. Makenzie Silvey was an efficient 9-of-12 from the field for a game-high 23 points while Nicole Martin tallied 16 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals. Gabby Walker, who made her first start of the season, scored 10 points and added three assists.
SIU's defense set the tone early, as Southern held Indiana State to just 27.3% (3-of-11) shooting in the first stanza and led 25-6 at the end of the first.
"We executed the game plan for the most part," Stein said of her team's defensive effort. "We didn't always do it, but 80% of the time we did a good job of being where we needed to be and applying pressure."
Southern stretched its lead to 21 (27-6) on an Abby Brockmeyer layup with 8:56 to play in the first half and the Salukis never relinquished their 20-point cushion. SIU took its largest lead, 48-21, with 8:49 to go in the third on a trey from Silvey.
The Salukis have now won three-straight Valley games after snapping a three-game losing streak with their win over then-No. 17 Missouri State on Jan. 17.
"We knew we needed to get three games back after we lost the three games earlier," Stein said. "Now it feels like we're back on the right track."
Southern's 26 assists were not only a season-high, but are tied for the sixth-most in a game in school history and are its most since March 4, 2017. Nine Salukis recorded at least one assist in the win, led by five from Kristen Nelson.
The Salukis return home next weekend to host the Illinois State Redbirds on Friday, Jan. 31 at 6 p.m. followed with a contest against the Bradley Braves on Sunday, Feb. 2 at 2 p.m.
