Preview | Women's Basketball Opens Up Two Game Homestand on Friday against Northern Iowa

CARBONDALE, Ill. - After three consecutive road games, the Southern Illinois University women's basketball team (3-12 overall, 1-5 conference) will return home on Friday at 6 p.m. to host the University of Northern Iowa.

HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN

Southern's game on Friday against the Panthers will be on ESPN+. Dominic Hoscher and Saluki Hall of Famer Jamaal Tatum will be on the call.
Larry Larson will have the radio call on NewsRadio WJPF 107.9 FM.

GAME PROMOTION

On Friday, there will be a free tuition raffle for students. Students can enter the raffle by going behind Section 105 to enter their name in the drawing. If their name is drawn, they will attempt a halfcourt shot at halftime and if they make it, they win the free tuition.
The courtside courtyard, located on the west side of the court, will be open. Fans can enjoy the game and refreshments from the high top tables. No entry fee is necessary.

QUICK HITS

Southern Illinois is 3-12 overall and 1-5 in conference play after suffering an 85-70 loss at Evansville on Sunday. The Purple Aces went to the free throw line 27 times, the fifth time this season an opponent has had that many free throws vs. SIU. Southern is 1-4 in those games.
Gift Uchenna was named the Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week for the third time this season on Monday after averaging 23.0 points, 18.0 rebounds, and 5.5 blocks-per-game.
Since conference play began, the Salukis are averaging 59.3 points-per-game and are allowing 76.5.
Against Evansville, SIU had 20 assists, its most since Dec. 2 vs. Central Methodist when it had 21. On the defensive end, the Salukis had a season-low three steals and allowed a three-point percentage of .435. This was the sixth time in 2024-25 a team has shot at least 40% from deep against Southern. SIU is 0-6 in those games.
Southern Illinois is in 11th place in the MVC and is one of three teams with a 1-5 Valley record (Indiana State and Evansville). The Salukis are a half game back of seventh place Bradley, who is 2-5.
The Salukis are now 10th in the Valley in scoring defense (72.9) and 11th in scoring offense at 59.3 points-per-game. Southern reached 70 points for the third time this season on Sunday.
Southern Illinois is sixth in overall rebounding (37.9) in the Missouri Valley, and leads the conference in offensive rebounding (13.7). This is tied for 54th in the NCAA.
SIU ranks second in the conference in blocks-per-game (3.60) and has at least five blocks in three straight games (did not have five in a game before previous three games).

LEADING THE SALUKIS

Gift Uchenna received MVC Newcomer of the Week honors after having her fifth game with at least 20 points and 15 rebounds on Sunday at Evansville. Uchenna leads the Valley and is second in the nation in rebounding (13.4). In the NCAA, the junior is first in offensive rebounding (5.7), 13th in blocks-per-game (2.4), and is tied for 10th in double doubles (10).
Kayla Cooper had 14 points on Sunday, her most since scoring 19 vs. Murray State on Jan. 2. Cooper also posted a career-high eight assists, beating a previous high of five that was set on Dec. 2 vs. Central Methodist. The eight assists are the most by a Saluki since Alice Curman had eight on Nov. 13 against Louisiana Monroe. Cooper is also tied for sixth in the MVC in steals-per-game (1.8).
Se'Quoia Allmond missed her fifth game of the season on Sunday. Prior to missing the last two games, Allmond was averaging 7.6 points-per-game, which was third on the team. The veteran guard has scored in double figures in four games this year, including a season-high 17 on Dec. 22 vs. UAB.
Isabella Palmqvist finished with a career-high 19 points on 5-of-11 shooting from deep on Sunday at Evansville. This came just days after the freshman hit the go-ahead three-pointer that gave SIU the lead at Indiana State, a lead it would hold onto for the remainder of the game. Palmqvist's five three pointers are a season-high, and the forward is shooting 50% (7-of-14) from beyond the arc over her last two games.
Tkiyah Nelson did not make a field goal for the first time this season on Sunday. Since scoring 11 points vs. Belmont on Jan. 4, Nelson has been held to a combined 10 points over her last three games. Defensively, the sophomore is 14th in the MVC in steals-per-game (1.5).
Tyranny Brown made her first start since Dec. 22 vs. UAB on Sunday, which was her fifth of the season. Brown has scored in double figures in three games, with her last being on Dec. 2 vs. Central Methodist.
Alice Curman is averaging 9.0 points and 3.3 rebounds-per-game over her last three games. Curman had a string of four straight games with a three-pointer made prior to not converting on a shot from deep in her last game.

LOOKING AT NORTHERN IOWA

Northern Iowa holds a record of 9-9 overall and 4-3 in conference play.
The Panthers are on a two game losing streak after falling to Belmont and Murray State last week. Prior to the last two games, UNI had won four of its previous five games.
UNI is fourth in the MVC in scoring offense, averaging 75.9 points-per-game. Northern Iowa has scored at least 80 points in six games this season.
Maya McDermott's 20.2 points-per-game are a team-high and rank second in the Valley.

SERIES HISTORY

All-time, SIU is 35-49 against the Panthers. UNI has won three straight against the Salukis.
Southern's last win vs. Northern Iowa was on Feb. 11, 2022, in Carbondale when SIU won by a final score 64-60.

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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