Photo by: Dominic Hoscher
Salukis advance to second round after win against Indiana State
03/09/2023 | 9:00:00 | Women's Basketball
MOLINE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois University women's basketball team (12-18) earned a 81-79 win over Indiana State on Thursday to advance to the second round of Hoops in the Heartland.Â
"The game honors toughness," head coach Kelly Bond-White said. "They will make runs, as will we. But you have to give that extra one percent. How hard can we play without losing our discipline."
This is the third straight season the Salukis have made at least the second round of the conference tournament.
Southern Illinois started the game red-hot, going on a 14-4 run to open the first quarter. The Salukis shot 6-of-8 from the field during the run.
Despite the strong start, the Sycamores climbed back to tie the game, 16-16, at the end of the opening 10 minutes.Â
The Salukis bounced-back with a strong offensive performance in the second quarter, out-scoring Indiana State, 23-17, before the half. Both Quierra Love and Shemera Williams had eight points each to lead the way for SIU as they led 39-33.
Indiana State got back-on-track in the third, scoring 22 points compared to Southern's 15. The Sycamores shot 8-of-14 in the quarter to take a 55-54 lead into the fourth.
Both teams shot the ball well in the final 10 minutes, as SIU shot 10-of-18 from the field while Indiana State went 9-of-14.Â
Indiana State's Del'Janae Williams hit a go-ahead three-pointer with 18 seconds remaining to give the Sycamores a 79-78 lead. The three was Williams' second of the night, and gave her a game-high 27 points.Â
In the next possession, Ashley Jones was fouled with 10 seconds left to go and with the Salukis down by one. Jones sunk both of her free throws, giving SIU an 80-79 lead.Â
After a Jaidynn Mason made free throw a couple possessions later, the Salukis were able to close the game out and win by a final score of 81-79.
"We had 22 points off turnovers with 44 in the paint," Bond-White said. "That carried us. Almost seven players in double-figures is hard to combat. Proud of our resolve."
Love and Jones were tied for a team-high 15 points, while Shemera Williams (14) and Mason (10) also scored in double-figures.Â
Southern Illinois will next take the court on Friday night at 6 p.m., when it takes on No. 2 seed Belmont on ESPN+.
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on Twitter at @SIU_WBasketball, on Instagram at @SIU_WBasketball, and on Facebook at Facebook.com/SalukiAthletics. Fans can also download the "Salukis" Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play Store.Â
"The game honors toughness," head coach Kelly Bond-White said. "They will make runs, as will we. But you have to give that extra one percent. How hard can we play without losing our discipline."
This is the third straight season the Salukis have made at least the second round of the conference tournament.
Southern Illinois started the game red-hot, going on a 14-4 run to open the first quarter. The Salukis shot 6-of-8 from the field during the run.
Despite the strong start, the Sycamores climbed back to tie the game, 16-16, at the end of the opening 10 minutes.Â
The Salukis bounced-back with a strong offensive performance in the second quarter, out-scoring Indiana State, 23-17, before the half. Both Quierra Love and Shemera Williams had eight points each to lead the way for SIU as they led 39-33.
Indiana State got back-on-track in the third, scoring 22 points compared to Southern's 15. The Sycamores shot 8-of-14 in the quarter to take a 55-54 lead into the fourth.
Both teams shot the ball well in the final 10 minutes, as SIU shot 10-of-18 from the field while Indiana State went 9-of-14.Â
Indiana State's Del'Janae Williams hit a go-ahead three-pointer with 18 seconds remaining to give the Sycamores a 79-78 lead. The three was Williams' second of the night, and gave her a game-high 27 points.Â
In the next possession, Ashley Jones was fouled with 10 seconds left to go and with the Salukis down by one. Jones sunk both of her free throws, giving SIU an 80-79 lead.Â
After a Jaidynn Mason made free throw a couple possessions later, the Salukis were able to close the game out and win by a final score of 81-79.
"We had 22 points off turnovers with 44 in the paint," Bond-White said. "That carried us. Almost seven players in double-figures is hard to combat. Proud of our resolve."
Love and Jones were tied for a team-high 15 points, while Shemera Williams (14) and Mason (10) also scored in double-figures.Â
Southern Illinois will next take the court on Friday night at 6 p.m., when it takes on No. 2 seed Belmont on ESPN+.
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on Twitter at @SIU_WBasketball, on Instagram at @SIU_WBasketball, and on Facebook at Facebook.com/SalukiAthletics. Fans can also download the "Salukis" Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play Store.Â
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