Women's Basketball loses to SEMO, 74-63 :: Pauk Leads Dawgs With 19 Points

Nov. 29, 2005

By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Southeast Missouri State (3-2) opened the second half with a 26-4 run to blow by Southern Illinois (3-1), 74-63, earlier tonight at the Show Me Center.

After shooting under 40 percent (35.5, 11-of-31) from the field in a wild first half which saw seven ties and six lead changes, SEMO caught fire to sink the Dawgs quick in the second half.

Led by 2005-06 Ohio Valley Conference Preseason Player-of-the-Year Tatiana Conceicao, SEMO scored the first 14 points of the second half to pull ahead of the Dawgs, 45-32.

Conceicao knocked down four free throws and Simone Jackson scored five easy points underneath to fuel an ambush which would only get worse for SIU.

Moments after Carlai Moore's jumper snapped a four-minute scoreless drought for the Dawgs, Conceicao added four more points to ignite a 12-2 surge in the latter part of the 26-4 barrage.

Three 3-pointers, including two by Natalie Purcell, also added to the cause, as the Salukis fell behind, 57-36 (14:12), and never recovered.

The first 12:09 of the second half told the story, as SIU made only 5-of-23 field goals to SEMO's 10-of-13.

"We came out flat in the second half and had a hard time getting back on defense," said SIU head coach Dana Eikenberg. "It was a lack of discipline on our part."

Conceicao led all Redhawk scorers with 27 points highlighted by a near-perfect 11-of-12 from the free throw line.

Jackson followed with 16, while Purcell added a double-double 10 points and 10 rebounds.

SEMO shot a blazing 62.5 percent (15-of-24) from the field in the second half, while SIU shot 37.1 (13-of-35). The Salukis cooled off after opening the game with 12-of-24 makes for 50 percent.

Erin Pauk scored a career-high 19 points to lead three Salukis in double figures. Jayme Sweere also had 13, while Moore chipped in 12.

Pauk scored 13 points in the first half alone to help the Dawgs to a 32-31 lead at the break.

The loss marks SIU's first of the season, as the Salukis have now dropped their last four games against SEMO.

SIU returns home to host Indiana on Friday at 7:05 p.m.