Women's Basketball falls at home to Evansville, 71-61 :: Jayme Sweere led the Salukis with a game-high 18 points and 11 boards.

Feb. 22, 2008

By Shalae Patrick
www.siusalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois women's basketball team let one slip away Friday night in Missouri Valley Conference play against Evansville. The Salukis were up by as many as 13 in the first half, but fell short in the second half, as the second-place Purple Aces out-scored the Salukis by 17 for a 10-point victory in SIU Arena, 71-61.

"I thought we started the game with great energy," Saluki head coach Dana Eikenberg said. "We stuck to the game plan. Then with about three minutes to go in the first half I really thought we just kind of started doing our own thing."

The Salukis (8-16, 4-10 MVC) led by 13, 35-22, on a jumper by Jasmine Gibson with just over two and a half to play in the first half. Gibson finished with 10 points and five rebounds in her first game back after an 11-game break with injury.

Evansville (17-8, 11-3 MVC) answered with a 6-0 run to end the period and pull within seven, 35-28, at the half.

"In the second half, Evansville just stuck it into that aggressive drive," Eikenberg added. "It was just little things and that's why this team is 4-10 right now instead of 11-3."

The teams swapped jumpers to open the second half before the Aces went on a 12-to-3 run to tie the game at 42-42. Ellen Young put in a layup and two free throws to go up four and give the Salukis their final lead of the game. Young finished with 15 on the night with four boards and two steals.

The Purple Aces would take their first lead of the second half on free throws by Ashlee Barrett. Southern sent UE to the line 31 times on the night, the visitors converting 27 from the charity stripe.

The Salukis were perfect from the line, only reaching it six times the entire contest.

Jayme Sweere led the Salukis with a game-high 18 points, 11 boards and three assists.

Evansville put four players in double-figures with a great push from their bench. Rebekah Parker led the Aces with 15, while Barrett and Amy Gallagher came off the bench for 14 and 13 respectively. Shannon Novosel also added 13.

The Salukis host Bradley Feb. 28 and UNI Mar. 1 for the final weekend of home play.