Southern Illinois University
2-1,0-0MVC
Southeast Missouri State University
2-3,0-0OVC
Salukis run away from Redhawks, 67-51
12/13/2020 | 5:42:00 | Women's Basketball
CARBONDALE, Ill. — The Southern Illinois University women's basketball team (2-1) pulled away in the fourth quarter again, as they outscored the defending OVC Tournament Champion Southeast Missouri State Redhawks, 20-8 in the stanza to pull out a 67-51 win Sunday evening inside Banterra Center.
Southern used the 1-2 punch of lights-out shooting and tenacious defense in the fourth quarter to knock SEMO down for the count. The Salukis shot 42.9-percent (6-of-14) and held the Redhawks to just 18-percent shooting (2-of-11) from the field in the fourth. SIU outscored its opponents, 43-to-11, in the fourth quarter in its two wins over the weekend.
The Salukis got good crunch time minutes from a pair of reserves, Payton McCallister and Gabby Walker. The duo each made plays down the stretch that sparked SIU's offense and made contributions defensively that helped quell SEMO's momentum. McCallister tied her career-highs in points (15) and three-pointers made (5) while Walker scored 17 points - her most as a Saluki - and added five boards in 18 minutes of play.
"I'm very proud of our kids," eighth-year head coach Cindy Stein said. "With playing back-to-back games for the first time this season, I wasn't sure how we would handle the second game. I thought we had a really gritty performance. I feel best about the fact that we got better this weekend. We had some tremendous performances throughout the lineup. Abby Brockmeyer had a great weekend. Gabby Walker made a significant difference. And how about Payton McCallister- I know she was 5-for-7 from three, which is outstanding, but her defense was what really helped us get the lead."
After a back and forth first quarter, Southern closed the first half on an 11-3 run to take a 34-26 lead at the half. SEMO roared back in the third to cut SIU's double-digit lead down to two with :54 seconds to play but Southern scored the game's next 15 points to build a lead it never surrendered.
Southern's ball movement was superb, as evidenced by their 18 assists on 22 field goals. Seven different Salukis dished out at least one assist, including four with three-plus assists. Makenzie Silvey and Adrianna Katcher each dished out four helpers to lead the way.
"We talked a lot prior to the game about doing the little things," Stein said. "Making the easy pass, making the extra pass and trusting each other. We stressed good ball movement and didn't want the ball to get stuck. I thought our kids did a really good job of being available for one another. Hats off to our team for our really good ball movement. It's something we've been stressing and our girls are doing an excellent job of executing it."
Southern also held a healthy advantage on the glass. The Salukis won the battle of the boards, 49-to-33, which included a 12-to-6 advantage in the fourth stanza. SIU's 49 rebounds were a season high.
"We were able to pull away at the end because we made good decisions," Stein said. "We used the clock well, we took good shots and we were ready to shoot. We also controlled the boards and limited their second chance opportunities, especially in the fourth quarter."
Four Salukis scored in double figures, led by Abby Brockmeyer's 20th career double-double. The Raymond, Ill. native finished with 12 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks. Makenzie Silvey added 14 points, four assists, three boards and two blocks while McCallister (15 points) and Walker (17) joined Brockmeyer and Silvey in double figures.
The Salukis (2-1) will next travel to Martin, Tenn. to take on the UT Martin Skyhawks, who were picked to win the OVC in the conference's annual preseason poll. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m.
