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Women's Basketball handed first loss of MVC season by Redbirds, 84-72
Jan. 4, 2007 By Shalae Schulte
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Illinois State women's basketball team shot 70 percent from the field in the second half, putting four Redbirds (10-4, 3-0) in double-figures to hand Southern Illinois (6-8, 2-1) its first loss of the Missouri Valley Conference season, 84-72, Thursday night in SIU Arena. The Salukis led by three at halftime, 38-35, on a 3-pointer by Debbie Burris with eight seconds left in the period, but the Redbirds raced back in the second half to score 31 points in the first 10 minutes. The 31 to 12 run by Illinois State gave the `Birds a 16-point lead. "I thought there was no energy," Saluki head coach Dana Eikenberg said. "It was a lackadaisical effort. Tonight it was apparent. I thought our defense was terrible from the tip. When you give up 35 points in the first 12 minutes of the second half, that's a dismal defensive performance." Illinois State garnered its largest lead of 17 (71-54) with 6:21 left to play on a three-point play by Kristi Cirone off of a Burris foul. Southern pulled back within 10 three times, but could not get any closer as the `Birds shot nearly 63 percent for the game, the highest of any Saluki opponent this season. The Redbirds' Kristi Cirone led all players with 27 points, shooting 8-of-11 from the field. The guard added four boards, three assists and a game-high five steals in 38 minutes. Megan McCracken added 18 points for Illinois State, while Maggie Krick and Lashawn Johnson chipped in 11 each. Johnson also grabbed a game-high nine boards. Jasmine Gibson led the Salukis off the bench with a career-high 19 points. The sophomore added five boards and a steal in 25 minutes. "I think Jasmine Gibson is starting to come into her own," Eikenberg said. "She's the only one I can really compliment. She did a really good job of following the game plan."
Carlai Moore added 13 points, five boards, while Jayme Sweere pitched in 11 points, four boards, two assists and two steals on the night. The Salukis shot 50 percent (28-of-56) from the field, forcing 21 Redbird turnovers, but were held to a season-low 22 boards and recorded a season-high 24 fouls, putting Illinois State at the line 29 times. "I don't think we're a great offensive team that's why I think it's so imperative that our defense is alive and kicking," Eikenberg added. "Obviously when you give up 84 points in your home gym, you're not playing well on both ends." In each win this season, the Saluki defense has managed to keep opponents under 70 points per game. SIU will face Indiana State Saturday at 2:05 p.m. CT in SIU Arena. The Sycamores, 9-5 on the season and 2-1 in conference play, are coming off of an overtime loss to Evansville. |
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