Wednesday, November 26
Nashville, Tn.
5:45 p.m.
Southern Illinois University
1-4,0-0MVC
63
vs
73
Arkansas
7-1,0-0SEC
1
2
3
4
F
Southern Ill.
19
12
10
22
63
Arkansas
11
20
22
20
73
Photo by: Peter Borkowski
Late Push Comes Up Short, Salukis Fall to Arkansas to Close Out Music City Classic
11/26/2025 | 9:17:00 | Women's Basketball
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois women's basketball (1-4, 0-0) ended their stay in Nashville on Wednesday by facing Arkansas (7-1, 0-0) in game two of the Coast 2 Coast Music City Classic. Despite a late rally, SIU could not hang on versus the SEC-member Arkansas, falling 73-63.
"What I am proud about is they competed; they competed" says head coach Kelly Bond-White. "That is what I have with this film to show them, is when you guys attack, when you guys finish, it is a different ball game. I think they understand me now a little bit."
Inside the Box Score
How it Happened
First Quarter
The Salukis, more specifically Kraus, came out hot as the sophomore dropped five points in the opening minute to give SIU an early lead. Arkansas soon found their footing, hitting two three pointers to eventually pull within one, 7-6.
Nine straight points from Southern extended their lead to 15-6. Another key Razorback three soon helped Arkansas pull back within six, 17-11, but free throw makes from Kraus to end the quarter set the Saluki advantage at 19-11 heading into the first break.
Second Quarter
SIU scored the first four points coming out of the break to bump their lead up to 12, 23-11. A successful trip to the charity stripe got the Razorbacks back within ten, but a layup from Indya Green kicked Southern's lead back up to 12.
A five-point jaunt from Arkansas cut the lead down to single digits, but a timely three by Kraus made it 28-18. The Razorbacks cut into the lead again with a jumper, but another Kraus three gave Southern an 11-point lead. Three straight threes from Arkansas quickly decreased that Salukis lead, and a 2-2 trip to the free-throw line by the Razorbacks tied everything up at 31 points as the teams went to the locker rooms for halftime.
Third Quarter
A big 7-1 run from Arkansas to open the third quarter gave the Razorbacks a 40-32 lead at the 7:18 mark. Following a near three-minute scoring draught from both sides, Kraus got the Saluki offense going again with a jumper, but two of the next three buckets were Arkansas threes to give them a nine-point lead.
SIU cut that lead down to five points, but seven consecutive points from Arkansas to end the quarter set the score at 53-41 in favor of the Razorbacks.
Fourth Quarter
Six of the first eight points in the fourth belonged to Southern to bring the Salukis within eight, but a nine-point run from Arkansas bumped their lead all the way up to 17 with 4:56 left in regulation.
SIU then showing signs of life. Five quick points from Kraus cut the Arkansas advantage down to 12, and, after an Arkansas point, another five-point spree from Southern brought the deficit all the way down to eight.
With 1:52 to play, a Kayla Cooper three-ball had SIU within seven. Arkansas made a layup to go up by nine before a Nelson free-throw make made it 69-61. The Salukis were back within seven with 31 seconds to go after a perfect trip to the line from Kraus, but three Arkansas free-throw points closed the game and set the final score at 73-63.
Up Next
After Thanksgiving Break, the Salukis are back at it on Sunday, Nov. 30, with a 2 p.m. home game against Western Kentucky.
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.
"What I am proud about is they competed; they competed" says head coach Kelly Bond-White. "That is what I have with this film to show them, is when you guys attack, when you guys finish, it is a different ball game. I think they understand me now a little bit."
Inside the Box Score
- Alayna Kraus tied for the game-lead in points with 23.
- Tkiyah Nelson was Southern's main set-up woman, dishing out a team-high five assists.
- Nelson also led all Salukis in rebounds with five.
How it Happened
First Quarter
The Salukis, more specifically Kraus, came out hot as the sophomore dropped five points in the opening minute to give SIU an early lead. Arkansas soon found their footing, hitting two three pointers to eventually pull within one, 7-6.
Nine straight points from Southern extended their lead to 15-6. Another key Razorback three soon helped Arkansas pull back within six, 17-11, but free throw makes from Kraus to end the quarter set the Saluki advantage at 19-11 heading into the first break.
Second Quarter
SIU scored the first four points coming out of the break to bump their lead up to 12, 23-11. A successful trip to the charity stripe got the Razorbacks back within ten, but a layup from Indya Green kicked Southern's lead back up to 12.
A five-point jaunt from Arkansas cut the lead down to single digits, but a timely three by Kraus made it 28-18. The Razorbacks cut into the lead again with a jumper, but another Kraus three gave Southern an 11-point lead. Three straight threes from Arkansas quickly decreased that Salukis lead, and a 2-2 trip to the free-throw line by the Razorbacks tied everything up at 31 points as the teams went to the locker rooms for halftime.
Third Quarter
A big 7-1 run from Arkansas to open the third quarter gave the Razorbacks a 40-32 lead at the 7:18 mark. Following a near three-minute scoring draught from both sides, Kraus got the Saluki offense going again with a jumper, but two of the next three buckets were Arkansas threes to give them a nine-point lead.
SIU cut that lead down to five points, but seven consecutive points from Arkansas to end the quarter set the score at 53-41 in favor of the Razorbacks.
Fourth Quarter
Six of the first eight points in the fourth belonged to Southern to bring the Salukis within eight, but a nine-point run from Arkansas bumped their lead all the way up to 17 with 4:56 left in regulation.
SIU then showing signs of life. Five quick points from Kraus cut the Arkansas advantage down to 12, and, after an Arkansas point, another five-point spree from Southern brought the deficit all the way down to eight.
With 1:52 to play, a Kayla Cooper three-ball had SIU within seven. Arkansas made a layup to go up by nine before a Nelson free-throw make made it 69-61. The Salukis were back within seven with 31 seconds to go after a perfect trip to the line from Kraus, but three Arkansas free-throw points closed the game and set the final score at 73-63.
Up Next
After Thanksgiving Break, the Salukis are back at it on Sunday, Nov. 30, with a 2 p.m. home game against Western Kentucky.
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
SIU
AR
FG%
.404
.382
3FG%
.316
.324
FT%
.733
.792
RB
32
37
TO
16
13
STL
6
4
Game Leaders
Pts
23
FGM
6
3FGM
3
FTM
8
Pts
14
FGM
7
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
1
Pts
5
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
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