
Recap | Palmqvist, Gaines Score Career High's as Southern Illinois Falls against Drake, 93-66
01/26/2025 | 5:05:00 | Women's Basketball
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois University women's basketball team (3-14 overall, 1-7 conference) couldn't slow down Drake's offense on Sunday, as the Bulldogs won by a final score of 93-66.
"When you watch a program like Drake, what they do is intentional and detailed," head coach Kelly Bond-White said. "From the timing of their cuts to the way they seal in, to the intentionality of how they push the ball up the floor and run the floor every time. When we watch film, that's what I wanted our young kids to watch."
Drake scored at least 20 points in each of the first three quarters and then 18th in the fourth. The Bulldogs were led by a big and aggressive day from deep, going 18-of-42 (42%) from beyond the arc in the win.
Isabella Palmqvist scored a career-high 20 points, while Mia Gaines also had a career-high with 13 points. This was Gaines' first game in double figures as a Saluki, and Palmqvist's first 20-point game.
The defending Missouri Valley Conference champions were dominant from the opening tip, out-scoring SIU, 21-10, in the first quarter. Drake attempted 13 shots from deep in the opening 10 minutes, converting on five for a three-point percentage of 38%.
Southern was held to 10 points in the first, its lowest point total of the game.
The Salukis got going offensively in the second quarter, scoring 20 points on a perfect 8-for-8 shooting at the free throw line, but allowed 26 points from Drake. The Bulldogs were 9-of-16 (56%) from the field and 7-of-11 from deep in the second, taking a 47-30 lead into halftime.
Both teams had their biggest offensive outputs in the third quarter, as Drake scored 28 points compared to SIU's 23. Southern Illinois was able to draw 11 free throw attempts in the quarter and made eight (73%). On the defensive end, however, the Salukis allowed a field-goal percentage of 53%.
After just two free throw attempts in the first half, Drake started getting to the line in the third, going 7-of-9 at the charity stripe in the quarter.
The Bulldogs put the finishing touches on their 93-66 win in the fourth quarter, where they out-scored the Salukis, 18-13.
Southern Illinois shot 35% from the field, 28% from deep, and 84% (21-of-25) at the free throw line in Sunday's loss. Drake also out-rebounded Southern, 48-33. Both teams had 14 turnovers.
Along with Palmqvist's 20 points and Gaines' 13, Gift Uchenna (10 points, nine rebounds) and Tkiyah Nelson (10 points) also scored in double figures for SIU on Sunday.
The Salukis will head back out on the road on Friday, Jan. 31, as they travel to Illinois State at 6:30 p.m. next weekend.
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.
"When you watch a program like Drake, what they do is intentional and detailed," head coach Kelly Bond-White said. "From the timing of their cuts to the way they seal in, to the intentionality of how they push the ball up the floor and run the floor every time. When we watch film, that's what I wanted our young kids to watch."
Drake scored at least 20 points in each of the first three quarters and then 18th in the fourth. The Bulldogs were led by a big and aggressive day from deep, going 18-of-42 (42%) from beyond the arc in the win.
Isabella Palmqvist scored a career-high 20 points, while Mia Gaines also had a career-high with 13 points. This was Gaines' first game in double figures as a Saluki, and Palmqvist's first 20-point game.
The defending Missouri Valley Conference champions were dominant from the opening tip, out-scoring SIU, 21-10, in the first quarter. Drake attempted 13 shots from deep in the opening 10 minutes, converting on five for a three-point percentage of 38%.
Southern was held to 10 points in the first, its lowest point total of the game.
The Salukis got going offensively in the second quarter, scoring 20 points on a perfect 8-for-8 shooting at the free throw line, but allowed 26 points from Drake. The Bulldogs were 9-of-16 (56%) from the field and 7-of-11 from deep in the second, taking a 47-30 lead into halftime.
Both teams had their biggest offensive outputs in the third quarter, as Drake scored 28 points compared to SIU's 23. Southern Illinois was able to draw 11 free throw attempts in the quarter and made eight (73%). On the defensive end, however, the Salukis allowed a field-goal percentage of 53%.
After just two free throw attempts in the first half, Drake started getting to the line in the third, going 7-of-9 at the charity stripe in the quarter.
The Bulldogs put the finishing touches on their 93-66 win in the fourth quarter, where they out-scored the Salukis, 18-13.
Southern Illinois shot 35% from the field, 28% from deep, and 84% (21-of-25) at the free throw line in Sunday's loss. Drake also out-rebounded Southern, 48-33. Both teams had 14 turnovers.
Along with Palmqvist's 20 points and Gaines' 13, Gift Uchenna (10 points, nine rebounds) and Tkiyah Nelson (10 points) also scored in double figures for SIU on Sunday.
The Salukis will head back out on the road on Friday, Jan. 31, as they travel to Illinois State at 6:30 p.m. next weekend.
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.
Team Stats
DRA
SIU
FG%
.435
.351
3FG%
.429
.278
FT%
.714
.840
RB
48
33
TO
14
14
STL
11
9
Game Leaders
Scoring
Players Mentioned
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