Sunday, November 30
Carbondale, Il.
2 p.m.
Southern Illinois University
1-5,0-0MVC
52
vs
60
Western Kentucky
3-4,0-0CUSA
1
2
3
4
F
Western Ky.
17
18
16
9
60
Southern Ill.
13
18
11
10
52
Photo by: Zuzanna Gaik
Western Kentucky’s Hot Shooting Sinks Salukis, 60-53
11/30/2025 | 6:54:00 | Women's Basketball
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois women's basketball (1-5, 0-0) ended November by welcoming Western Kentucky (3-4, 0-0) to Carbondale for a Sunday afternoon game. While SIU's defense did their best to limit the Hilltoppers, hot shooting from Western Kentucky eventually led to SIU's 60-53 defeat.
Inside the Box Score
How it Happened
First Quarter
It took a while for either offense to find its footing, as Western Kentucky struck first with a three-pointer at the 7:32 mark. Southern finally found a basket 30 seconds later thanks to a Jeniah Thompson layup.
Following another Hilltopper three and a pair of SIU free throws, yet another Western Kentucky threeball extended their lead to a then game-high five points. The teams traded two-pointers until a pair of Western Kentucky makes from beyond the arc made it 17-11.
SIU closed the gap in the final seconds of the quarter, with a Karris Allen layup setting the score at 17-13 heading into the first quarter break.
Second Quarter
Five straight points out of the break gave SIU their first lead of the game, 18-17. Western Kentucky momentarily retook the lead with another three, but Kraus responded with a make from downtown of her own.
Down by one, the Hilltoppers went on a four-point run to build a three-point lead, but six consecutive Saluki points gave SIU another one-point advantage. The runs continued with a 5-0 spree from Western Kentucky, giving the Hilltoppers a 31-27 lead.
With less than a minute until halftime, a Carmen Morales cut into that lead with a layup, but four of the quarter's final six points belonged to Western Kentucky, giving the Hilltoppers a 35-31 advantage as the teams made their ways to their locker room
Third Quarter
Coming back from the locker room, the dueling squads continued trading blows. That is until the 7:31 mark, when a hefty Western Kentucky run jacked their lead up to 46-35 with just over five minutes left in the third.
SIU thought they found a response with a Kayla Cooper three, but the Hilltoppers immediately responded with one of their own. The teams traded two-point plays until the end of the quarter, meaning Western Kentucky led 51-42 with 10 minutes left to play.
Fourth Quarter
Southern came out firing in the fourth quarter, dropping five, quick points to cut the deficit down to four, 51-47. After a two-minute scoring draught from both teams, Western Kentucky found their first two points of the half.
Green pulled SIU back within four with a layup, but this would be SIU's last basket for over five minutes as Western Kentucky scored the next seven points to build a 60-49 lead. Cooper hit a three with time dwindling down, but it did very little besides set the final score in Southern's loss as 60-52.
Up Next
Southern hits the road again for a 11 a.m. match against UAB on Wednesday, Dec. 3.
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.
Inside the Box Score
- Alayna Kraus continued her streak of double-digit scoring with 19 points in the contest.
- Indya Green was a rebound shy of a double-double, dropping 10 points and nine rebounds.
- Tkiyah Nelson dished out 10 assists to lead all players.
How it Happened
First Quarter
It took a while for either offense to find its footing, as Western Kentucky struck first with a three-pointer at the 7:32 mark. Southern finally found a basket 30 seconds later thanks to a Jeniah Thompson layup.
Following another Hilltopper three and a pair of SIU free throws, yet another Western Kentucky threeball extended their lead to a then game-high five points. The teams traded two-pointers until a pair of Western Kentucky makes from beyond the arc made it 17-11.
SIU closed the gap in the final seconds of the quarter, with a Karris Allen layup setting the score at 17-13 heading into the first quarter break.
Second Quarter
Five straight points out of the break gave SIU their first lead of the game, 18-17. Western Kentucky momentarily retook the lead with another three, but Kraus responded with a make from downtown of her own.
Down by one, the Hilltoppers went on a four-point run to build a three-point lead, but six consecutive Saluki points gave SIU another one-point advantage. The runs continued with a 5-0 spree from Western Kentucky, giving the Hilltoppers a 31-27 lead.
With less than a minute until halftime, a Carmen Morales cut into that lead with a layup, but four of the quarter's final six points belonged to Western Kentucky, giving the Hilltoppers a 35-31 advantage as the teams made their ways to their locker room
Third Quarter
Coming back from the locker room, the dueling squads continued trading blows. That is until the 7:31 mark, when a hefty Western Kentucky run jacked their lead up to 46-35 with just over five minutes left in the third.
SIU thought they found a response with a Kayla Cooper three, but the Hilltoppers immediately responded with one of their own. The teams traded two-point plays until the end of the quarter, meaning Western Kentucky led 51-42 with 10 minutes left to play.
Fourth Quarter
Southern came out firing in the fourth quarter, dropping five, quick points to cut the deficit down to four, 51-47. After a two-minute scoring draught from both teams, Western Kentucky found their first two points of the half.
Green pulled SIU back within four with a layup, but this would be SIU's last basket for over five minutes as Western Kentucky scored the next seven points to build a 60-49 lead. Cooper hit a three with time dwindling down, but it did very little besides set the final score in Southern's loss as 60-52.
Up Next
Southern hits the road again for a 11 a.m. match against UAB on Wednesday, Dec. 3.
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
WestKy
SIU
FG%
.480
.313
3FG%
.409
.250
FT%
.600
.571
RB
36
38
TO
19
14
STL
11
13
Game Leaders
Pts
19
FGM
7
3FGM
3
FTM
2
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
8
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
C
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
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