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Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Saluki Women's Basketball
10/21/2026 | 8:00:00 | Women's Basketball
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois women's basketball plays its first contest in the Banterra Center against Kentucky Wesleyan in an exhibition Thursday night in Carbondale. Fans can enjoy free tickets to the game and will get their first look at the 2026-27 Salukis.
OPENING TIP
Southern Illinois enters its 68th year of women's basketball. The Salukis play the Kentucky Welsyean Panthers at 6 p.m. CT in their first public exhibition in Carbondale.
Game Details
Matchup: SIU vs. Kentucky Wesleyan (Exhibition)
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Banterra Center, Carbondale, Ill.
Live Stats | App | Tickets
LOOKING AT LAST SEASON
The 2025-26 season ended on a 81-69 loss to #9 Indiana State in the MVC Tournament at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.
THE RETURNERS
SIU retained five players from the 2025-26 squad. The Salukis were able to keep seniors Kynnedi Davis, Kayla Cooper, and Tkiyah Nelson. They were also able to retain to two juniors: Carmen Morales and Mia Gaines.
FRESH FACES
The Salukis added nine new players to their 2026-27 roster. The composition continues with four true freshmen: Chellise Jones, Jamisen Green, Haeli Tart, and Lynelle Awou. They were able to pick up five transfers: Raeven Boswell (Pittsburgh), Fredriecka Wallace (Kansas), Braxcynn Baker (Murray State), Yaiza Paredes Diaz (Eastern Wyoming College), and Shakara McCline (DePaul).
SCOUTING THE PANTHERS
Kentucky Wesleyan finished the 2025-26 season with a 15-12 (11-9 G-MAC) record. Their season came to a close in the G-MAC Championship quarterfinals with a 52-63 loss against #2 Malone in Canton, Ohio.
SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets are on sale now! Visit saluk.is/wbbseasontickets for more information. For ticket inquiries, call 618-453-2000.
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.
OPENING TIP
Southern Illinois enters its 68th year of women's basketball. The Salukis play the Kentucky Welsyean Panthers at 6 p.m. CT in their first public exhibition in Carbondale.
Game Details
Matchup: SIU vs. Kentucky Wesleyan (Exhibition)
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Banterra Center, Carbondale, Ill.
Live Stats | App | Tickets
LOOKING AT LAST SEASON
- The Salukis are led by fifth-year head coach Kelly Bond-White. Bond-White brings a plethora of coaching experience to the table. Prior to her time at SIU, she served as an associate head coach at SEC powerhouse Texas A&M for 19 seasons. During her time as an Aggie, they won the 2011 NCAA National Championship, made three appearances in the Elite Eight, and sixteen NCAA Tournament appearances.
- Southern had an incredible offensive improvement in the 2025-26 campaign. From just scoring 57.7 points-per-game in the 2024-25 season, the Salukis averaged 66.9 points-per-game last season. They had a few scoring outbursts as well, recording 97 against Valparaiso, 85 against Judson, and 84 against Illinois State.
- The Salukis were a streaky team. The Dawgs went on a mid-season run in conference play, winning five of six contests between January and February. Their sole loss in this stretch came to MVC Champion Murray State by only four points.
- SIU finished the season ranked 284th in the NET, eighth in the MVC.
The 2025-26 season ended on a 81-69 loss to #9 Indiana State in the MVC Tournament at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.
THE RETURNERS
SIU retained five players from the 2025-26 squad. The Salukis were able to keep seniors Kynnedi Davis, Kayla Cooper, and Tkiyah Nelson. They were also able to retain to two juniors: Carmen Morales and Mia Gaines.
FRESH FACES
The Salukis added nine new players to their 2026-27 roster. The composition continues with four true freshmen: Chellise Jones, Jamisen Green, Haeli Tart, and Lynelle Awou. They were able to pick up five transfers: Raeven Boswell (Pittsburgh), Fredriecka Wallace (Kansas), Braxcynn Baker (Murray State), Yaiza Paredes Diaz (Eastern Wyoming College), and Shakara McCline (DePaul).
SCOUTING THE PANTHERS
Kentucky Wesleyan finished the 2025-26 season with a 15-12 (11-9 G-MAC) record. Their season came to a close in the G-MAC Championship quarterfinals with a 52-63 loss against #2 Malone in Canton, Ohio.
SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets are on sale now! Visit saluk.is/wbbseasontickets for more information. For ticket inquiries, call 618-453-2000.
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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/ Women's BasketballWednesday, October 21
Wednesday, October 21
Wednesday, October 21
Wednesday, October 21