Nov. 7, 2009

By Shalae Patrick
www.SIUSalukis.com

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CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois women's basketball team fell in their final exhibition game against Washington University, 84-74, Saturday night in SIU Arena.

The Salukis put three players in double-figures, and led by as many as six points with almost nine minutes left in the contest, but couldn't take down last season's NCAA Division III runner-up that returned four starters and 14 letterwinners.

SIU held a one-point lead, 33-32, at halftime, but couldn't overcome the Bears' hot shooting in the second half. Washington shot nearly 60 percent (16-of-27) from the field, including 5-of-8 from beyond the arc.

"This year is going to be up and down for us," Saluki head coach Missy Tiber said. "I thought today we would come in here and get better, but we didn't and I'm very disappointed in that."

Stephany Neptune led the Salukis with 25 points and 15 rebounds, 8-of-13 from the field. The senior added eight assists, a block and four steals in her first game as the point guard for Southern.

Teri Oliver and Eboni Crayton pitched in 16 points each.

"I think you see when we do good things how it triggers our break and how fun we can be," Tiber said, "but were just not having the players concentrate and doing what they are capable of doing and that's setting us back. We just have to continue to work."

The Bears put three players in double-figures led by Zoe Unruh with 21 points, 8-of-16 from the field. Alex Hoover added 18 points and Dani Hoover chipped in 12 points off the bench.

The Salukis open the regular-season Friday, Nov. 13, at Saint Louis for an 8 p.m. tip-off.