Southern Illinois University
16-13,8-10MVC
Valparaiso University
17-12,9-9MVC
Women’s Basketball drops regular season finale to Valparaiso, 69-58
03/07/2020 | 7:00:00 | Women's Basketball
CARBONDALE, Ill. — The Southern Illinois University women's basketball team fell to the Valparaiso Crusaders, 69-58, in its regular season finale Saturday afternoon inside Banterra Center.
In a game that featured seven ties and 13 lead changes, Valparaiso used an 11-2 fourth quarter run to build a lead it never relinquished.
The Crusaders shot 80-percent (4-of-5) from the field in the fourth quarter and made their free throws (13-of-18) down the stretch. Southern, on the other hand, struggled to find its rhythm in the game's final 10 minutes as it shot 25-percent (4-of-16) from the field in the fourth, which included 0-of-5 from behind the arc, and made just 6-of-11 from the charity stripe.
"That game was extremely frustrating and it was an extremely physical game," seventh-year head coach Cindy Stein said. "We didn't handle the physicality well and we are usually a pretty physical team. We did not adjust well. We were frustrated on offense and we had a lot of opportunities that did not fall."
The Crusaders were on fire from behind the arc, as they shot 50-percent (8-of-16) from downtown including 5-of-8 in the second half. Southern, meanwhile, made just 1-of-11 from three-point range during the final 20 minutes of play.
"The key to the game came down to defense," Stein said. "We had a lack of rotation on three-point shooters when we are suppose to stay attached. We had a broken game plan. In our league, anyone can beat anyone on any given night and you can't have those kind of mishaps."
SIU was led in scoring by junior Abby Brockmeyer, who notched her fifth double-double of the season with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Playing in her final regular season game at the Banterra Center, Nicole Martin chipped in 10 points to go along with eight rebounds, three steals and three blocks. Brittney Patrick, also playing at home for the final time, tallied 10 points, five rebounds and five assists.
The game was a back and forth battle. Valparaiso led 15-13 after the first quarter and a put back by Lauren Hartman gave SIU a 34-33 lead at the half. Valparaiso held a two-point lead (46-44) at the end of three quarters before outscoring Southern, 23-14 in the final stanza to seal the win.
SIU now shifts its attention to the MVC Tournament, where the Salukis will enter as the no. 7 seed and will take on the 10th-seeded Evansville Purple Aces on Thursday, March 12 inside the TaxSlayer Center in Moline, Ill. The Salukis won both meetings between the two schools during the regular season.
"I feel bad for our seniors because of how bad they wanted this one but its a new season now," Stein said. "If we have to win four games in four days thats our journey now and we have to get it done."
Tipoff against the Aces on Thursday, March 12 is at 7 p.m. Tickets to "Hoops in the Heartland" are available at mvcquadcities.com.
