Preview | Women's Basketball Returns Home to Host Evansville, Indiana State

CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois University women's basketball team (3-16 overall, 1-9 conference) is set to host Evansville and Indiana State this weekend at the Banterra Center.

HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN

Both games can be watched on ESPN+. On Friday, tune into ESPN+ at 6 p.m. for SIU's game against Evansville and then on Sunday at 12 p.m. against Indiana State.
Larry Larson will have the radio call on NewsRadio WJPF 107.9 FM for both games.

GAME PROMOTION

On Friday, the Salukis celebrate "National Girls and Women in Sports Day" at the Banterra Center. A bounce house will be available at the Charles Helleny Pavilion one hour before tip-off on Friday. Multiple SIU women's programs will be at the game and signing autographs after the game.

QUICK HITS

The Salukis are 3-16 overall and 1-9 in conference play, and have lost five consecutive games.
On Friday, Southern will look to snap a five-game home losing streak when it hosts Evansville. Its last and only home win of the season came on Dec. 2 vs. Central Methodist (Mo.), 74-38.
Southern Illinois is in 11th place in the MVC and is one of three teams with a 1-9 Valley record (Indiana State and Evansville). Belmont is now alone in first with a 9-1 MVC record and 14-7 overall record.
The Salukis are 12th in overall scoring offense (58.9) and 10th in scoring defense (74.6). Southern Illinois has reached 70 points in three games, with the last being on Sunday, Jan. 19, at Evansville.
Southern Illinois is second in the conference in offensive rebounding (13.4) and have had double-digit offensive boards in 15 games. The offensive rebounding average ranks 63rd in the NCAA.
SIU ranks third in the MVC in blocks-per-game (3.53). The Salukis have had at least three blocks in 14 games.

LEADING THE SALUKIS

Gift Uchenna is 11th in the Valley in scoring (15.2), first in rebounding (13.2), first in offensive rebounding (5.4), and is first in blocks-per-game (2.3). Across the NCAA, Uchenna is second in rebounding, first in offensive rebounding, 15th in blocks per game, and is tied for sixth in double doubles (13). The junior has recorded a double-double in five of her last six games.
Kayla Cooper led the Salukis in scoring in both of their games last week, averaging 18.5 points, 2.5 three pointers, and 1.0 steal-per-game at Illinois State and Bradley. Against the Redbirds, Cooper had a career-high 21 points on 3-of-6 shooting from three-point range and also had one steal. The sophomore guard's 1.6 steals-per-game is tied for eighth in the MVC.
Isabella Palmqvist was held to single figures and one total field-goal made in last week's games against Illinois State and Bradley. Prior to the road trip, Palmqvist had double-digit scoring tallies in three straight games and was averaging 16.3 points and 3.3 three pointers-per-game during that stretch. In Valley games, the freshman is 14th in three-point percentage (.357).
Tkiyah Nelson is averaging 7.5 points, 2.8 assists, and 1.5 steals-per-game over her last four outings since being held to one point at Evansville on Jan. 19. During this run, Nelson has shot 16-of-22 (73%) at the free throw line. The sophomore had attempted a combined 23 free throws in the previous nine games before this stretch.
Mia Gaines was limited to two rebounds against the Braves after previously posting a season-high seven boards on Jan. 31 at Illinois State. Prior to the road trip, Gaines had recorded a season-high 13 points against Drake on Jan. 26. This is the freshman's lone game in double figures.
Alice Curman had six rebounds and three assists on Sunday at Bradley, and has now had multiple rebounds and assists in three straight games. In terms of scoring, Curman has been held to single digits in each of her last five games since having 10 points on January 16 at Indiana State. The freshman has reached 10 points three times this season.

LOOKING AT EVANSVILLE

Evansville heads into Carbondale with a record of 5-16 overall and 1-9 in conference play.
Since defeating SIU, 85-70, on Jan. 19, the Purple Aces have lost four straight games, with their most recent loss coming against Valparaiso on Feb. 1, 66-54.
The Aces are ninth in scoring offense (63.1) and 12th in scoring defense (75.4) across the Valley.
Maggie Hartwig leads Evansville and is fifth in the MVC in scoring, averaging 16.2 points-per-game. Hartwig had 11 points and 13 rebounds against Southern Illinois in the previous meeting.

LOOKING AT INDIANA STATE

Indiana State is 12th in the MVC at 1-9 in conference play and 3-18 overall.
The Sycamores have lost six straight games heading into the weekend.
Indiana State is one of three teams without a road win in league games this season.
Keslyn Secrist leads the Sycamores with 12.7 points-per-game.

SERIES HISTORY

Southern holds a record of 41-30 all-time vs. Evansville but has lost each of the last two games against the Purple Aces.
Against Indiana State, SIU is 62-48 all-time.

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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