Preview | Women's Basketball Hosts Drake on Sunday for 'Faith and Family' Day

CARBONDALE, Ill. - On Sunday, the Southern Illinois University women's basketball team (3-13 overall, 1-6 conference) will take on Drake at 2 p.m. at the Banterra Center.

HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN

To watch the Salukis face the Bulldogs, tune into ESPN+ at 2 p.m. 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

It's 'Faith and Family Day' at the Banterra Center on Sunday, with youth groups being invited to come out to the game.
There will be a bouncehouse set up in the Charles Helleny Pavilion prior to the game.

QUICK HITS

Southern Illinois is 3-13 overall and 1-6 in conference play. In its last game, SIU fell, 84-59, to Northern Iowa.
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, which is 11th in the Valley, and are allowing 77.6, ranking 12th.
This season, Southern has been out-scored by an average of 20.7 to 16.6 in third quarters. In fourth quarters, it's been out-scored by an average of 18.4 to 13.4.
Southern Illinois is in 11th place in the MVC and is one of three teams with a 1-6 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 (73.6) and 11th in scoring offense at 59.3 points-per-game. Southern reached 70 points for the third time this season on Sunday at Evansville.
Southern Illinois is sixth in overall rebounding (38.1) in the Missouri Valley, and leads the conference in offensive rebounding (13.8). This ranks 49th in the NCAA.
SIU ranks second in the conference in blocks-per-game (3.44) and had at least five blocks in three straight games prior to having one vs. UNI (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 (5.6), 16th in blocks-per-game (2.3), and is tied for fourth in double doubles (11). Uchenna has had a double-double in three straight games.
On Sunday at Evansville, Kayla Cooper had 14 points, 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 seventh in the MVC in steals-per-game (1.7).
Se'Quoia Allmond missed her sixth game of the season on Friday. Prior to missing the last three 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 has scored in double figures in back-to-back games, and has made three straight starts. Palmqvist has topped 35 minutes in each of her last two appearances after doing so twice in her first 14 games played this season. The freshman's two three pointers marked the seventh time she has made multiple shots from deep on the year. Over her last three games, Palmqvist is 9-of-21 (43%) from beyond the arc.
Tkiyah Nelson had a career-high seven free throws made and 10 free throws attempted on Friday against Northern Iowa. Nelson also had nine rebounds, her most since posting 10 vs. Central Methodist on Dec. 2, and two steals, her eighth game with multiple steals this season.
Tyranny Brown has scored in double figures in three games, with her last being on Dec. 2 vs. Central Methodist. Brown is the lone member of the 2021-22 MVC Regular Season Championship team on the Saluki roster.
Alice Curman is averaging 7.8 points and 5.0 rebounds-per-game over her last four 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 two games against Evansville and UNI.

LOOKING AT DRAKE

Drake enters Sunday's matchup with a record of 11-8 overall and 5-3 in conference play.
The Bulldogs have lost three straight, falling in overtime, 72-68, at Missouri State on Friday. Drake has been held to fewer than 70 points in three consecutive games for the first time this season.
With an average of 75.9 points-per-game, Drake is fourth in the Valley in scoring offense. In terms of scoring defense, the Bulldogs are seventh at 69.3.
Katie Dinnebier is averaging a league-leading 20.7 points, 7.4 assists, and 2.8 steals-per-game.

SERIES HISTORY

This will be the 99th meeting between SIU and Drake and first since Dec. 30, 2023,
Southern Illinois is 30-68 all-time vs. Drake, and enters Sunday on a three-game losing streak vs. the Bulldogs. The Salukis' last win over Drake was on Feb. 13, 2022 in Carbondale, Ill.

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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