Jan. 5, 2006

Box Score

By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. - Northern Iowa (8-4, 2-1) held Southern Illinois (5-7, 1-2) to a season-low 48 points in a 59-48 win earlier today at SIU Arena. The Salukis and Panthers tipped off at 12:05 p.m., and played in front of a crowd of 739 during a "field trip day" for area southern Illinois schools.

The Panthers, who lead the Valley in scoring defense, pinned SIU to 27 points in the first half and 21 in the second. The Salukis' 21 points in the last 20 minutes, marked the lowest point total in a half this year.

"We were bad offensively and had zero guard play today," said Saluki head coach Dana Eikenberg.

Saluki guards Katy Freeman, Erin Pauk and Jayme Sweere struggled to a combined 6-of-20 (.300) field goals, nine rebounds and 15 points, while the UNI backcourt of Jessie Biggs, Sarah Larsen and Traci Ollendieck teamed up for 11-of-26 (.423) FGs, 25 boards and 28 points.

SIU led by as many as six points on several occasions in the first half, which saw both teams get off to sluggish starts.

SIU and UNI combined for eight points on 4-of-13 field goals in the first 6:23 of the game, before the Dawgs took a slight 27-25 lead at the break.

It was then in the second half, where the Panthers used three-straight uncontested back door layups and a 12-2 run to put the Salukis away.

UNI's three easy buckets came in the first 1:05 of the half, as the Panthers took a 31-29 lead on Biggs' layup.

SIU managed to tie the game at 31-31 on Freeman's jumper at the 16:34 mark, but trailed the rest of the way.

Once SIU fell behind, 43-40, with 9:41 left to play, UNI stifled the Salukis with its 12-2 run to put the game out of reach. Cassie Hager and Traci Ollendieck each had four points to ignite the run which gave the Panthers a 55-42 lead with 4:32 left.

"The wheels came off," said Eikenberg. "Without a true solid guard on the court at the time, we became stagnant. We didn't make the adjustments we needed to."

Biggs led the Panthers with a double-double 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Tara King followed with 13 points, while Hager finished with 12, despite being held to four points in the first half.

Carlai Moore, who missed the last 10:15 due to a strained muscle in her right leg against Indiana State four days ago, didn't skip a beat, as she pitched in 12 points to lead SIU for the sixth-straight game. She shot 6-of-14 from the field in 34 minutes.

Teresa Parker and Jasmine Gibson also added four points underneath.

If there was any bright spot today, Eikenberg said it was her post defense.

"I was extremely pleased with our post play defensively," said Eikenberg. "Carlai, Teresa and Jasmine used their athleticism to do a nice job on a tough post assignment with Hager."

UNI outrebounded SIU, 10-2, on the offensive glass en route to a 38-28 advantage on the boards.

SIU, who has dropped four of its last five games, remains home to host Bradley Saturday. Tip off is at 2:05 p.m. That game will be broadcast on WCIL 1020 AM.

Jeff Honza Southern Illinois University Associate Director of Media Services 618-453-5470 (Office) 618-453-2648 (Fax) honz@siu.edu siusalukis.com