Preview | Women's Basketball Returns Home to Face UAB on Sunday

CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois University women's basketball team (2-6) will play its final home game of 2024 on Sunday at 12 p.m. when it hosts UAB at the Banterra Center.

HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN

Tune into ESPN+ at 12 p.m. to watch Sunday's game. Mike Trude and Saluki Hall of Famer Jamaal Tatum will have the call.
Larry Larson will have the radio call on NewsRadio WJPF 107.9 FM.

GAME PROMOTION

Fans can enjoy numerous holiday elements at Sunday's game, including hot chocolate, a chance to meet Santa and play in a bounce house at the Charles Helleny Pavilion prior to tip-off, and can wear their ugly Christmas sweaters.
At halftime, the Saluki Shakers will have a special holiday performance at the Banterra Center.

QUICK HITS

SIU returns home after an 0-2 road trip to North Texas and SIUE. In its last game at SIUE, Southern fell, 71-59, on Sunday, Dec. 15.
Southern Illinois had 10 turnovers at SIUE, its fewest this season and fewest since having nine against Bradley on March 2, 2024. SIU struggled from the field, however, posting a .308 field-goal percentage against the Cougars.
At SIUE, Southern had 40 rebounds, the second-most in a game this season (54 vs. Central Methodist, Dec. 2). Gift Uchenna had 17 boards, which is tied for a season-high.
Through eight games, the Salukis are eighth in the Missouri Valley Conference in scoring defense, allowing 70.0 points-per-game. Offensively, SIU is 12th, averaging 59.5 points-per-game.
The Salukis are seventh in the MVC in rebounding (36.5). In terms of offensive rebounding, SIU is second at 13.6, which also ranks 79th in the country.
SIU is now fourth in the league in blocks-per-game (3.38) after posting four blocks at SIUE. The Salukis have had four blocks in a total of four games in 2024-25.
On Sunday, Southern will be playing its second game against an American Athletic Conference (AAC) opponent when it hosts UAB. SIU is 0-1 against AAC opposition this season, falling at North Texas on Dec. 7. The Salukis' last win against an AAC team came on Nov. 23, 2023, in Puerto Rico when they defeated Charlotte, 55-52. SIU went 1-1 against the conference last season (lost to North Texas).
Southern Illinois is 10th in the Valley standings and are one of three teams with two wins.
Missouri State is in first at 8-3, followed by Murray State (6-3) and Bradley (5-4).

LEADING THE SALUKIS

Gift Uchenna is averaging a team-high 15.1 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks-per-game to begin the season. Uchenna is the only player in the MVC to be averaging a double-double, and ranks 10th in scoring, first in rebounding, and third in blocks. The junior is sixth in the country in rebounding, second in offensive rebounding (5.6), and is tied for 16th in blocks-per-game.
Isabella Palmqvist is second on the Salukis with 8.4 points-per-game and has a three-point percentage of .382, which is tied for 12th in the MVC. Palmqvist's 11 three-pointers made are 15th in the conference, and the freshman has made a shot from deep in seven-straight games.
Kayla Cooper came off the bench for the second time this season at SIUE, but played a season-high 33 minutes. Cooper went 3-of-4 from deep against the Cougars, her second game this season with three three-pointers made. The sophomore is fourth in the MVC in three-point percentage (.440).
Tyranny Brown's 7.8 points-per-game are the third-most on the team, while her .824 free throw percentage ranks second on the SIU roster. Brown has scored in double-figures in three games, including a season-high 14 points vs. Louisiana Monroe on Nov. 13.
Tkiyah Nelson is tied for 10th in the Valley in steals-per-game (1.6), but has been held without a steal in each of her last two games. The sophomore guard has had multiple steals in four games.
Se'Quoia Allmond made her fifth appearance of the season at SIUE. In her return to the lineup at North Texas, Allmond scored 15 points and went 4-of-5 from deep, both being career-high's.
Jeniah Thompson made her first appearance since the season-opener at Auburn (Nov. 4) in SIU's last game at SIUE, scoring seven points with two steals in 21 minutes. Thompson missed six games due to injury.

LOOKING AT UAB

The Blazers head into Carbondale with a record of 8-3 and have won three-straight games.
In its last game, UAB defeated Illinois State, 71-68, on Friday. The Blazers shot 45% from the field and 43% from deep in the win. Journey Armstead led UAB with 14 points.
UAB is averaging 71.8 points-per-game and allowing 63.2. The Blazers are second in the AAC.
Maddie Walsh's 12.8 points-per-game leads the Blazers.

SERIES HISTORY

Southern Illinois is 0-3 all-time against UAB with the last meeting coming on Nov. 13, 2017, in Birmingham, Ala. The Blazers won by a final score of 76-66.
This will be the second meeting in Carbondale, with the last coming on Dec. 3, 2016.

FOLLOW THE SALUKIS
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.

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