Southern Illinois University
7-12,4-6MVC
Northern Iowa
13-6,8-2MVC
Northern Iowa downs Women's Basketball, 94-81
01/28/2023 | 4:15:00 | Women's Basketball
CARBONDALE, Ill. — In a fast-paced game, both teams shot the ball well, but Northern Iowa won the most important stat, claiming a 94-81 victory over Southern Illinois on Saturday.
The Panthers (13-6, 8-2) converted 49.2 percent from the field and had a pair of 20-point scorers in Emerson Green (26) and Grace Boffeli (24). They remain in the hunt for the Missouri Valley Conference title and are one of four teams with two or fewer league losses.
"That's why I came here," said SIU first-year head coach Kelly Bond-White. "It's a basketball conference and people are going to make you rise to the occasion."
The Salukis (7-12, 4-6) got another big game from Ashley Jones, who finished with 22 points. She has 52 in the last two games.
Southern shot 52.4 percent from the field and had 19 assists on 33 baskets.
"I think (UNI) had just as much problem guarding us, which is why they went to the zone, which is not what they want to do," Bond-White said. "So I give our kids credit, as well. They make people uncomfortable."
Northern Iowa won the rebounding battle by 16 and attempted 33 free throws, compared to 13 by SIU.
SIU got a big lift off the bench from Shemera Williams and Tamara Nard, who finished with 13 and 17 points, respectively. Promise Taylor also had 13 in a starting role.
The Salukis trailed by six at halftime and cut the deficit to three, 55-52, on a jumper by Nard with 6:02 left in the third.
Several times in the fourth quarter, Southern turned on an effective full-court press and cut the deficit to single digits, but couldn't sustain a run to narrow the gap to less than eight.
After winning at Murray State eight days ago, SIU has lost three straight.
"I know what kind of season we can have, and still can," Bond-White said. "But I knew it was going to be a journey bringing these kids together. I do want to recognize the efforts I'm seeing."
