The SIU women’s basketball program completed their sweep over Indiana State, taking down the Sycamores by a score of 76-52 to improve their record to 8-10 overall and 5-8 against Missouri Valley Conference opponents. 

This was the first time the Salukis have earned back-to-back wins since Jan. 1 and 2, when they took down University of Evansville; in their nine games since, they have only won one. 

The Salukis broke a two-game skid last night with an 84-69 win over the Sycamores (4-12, 1-10 MVC), their first victory on the road this season. 

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SIU carried that energy over from yesterday into today’s matchup; after ending the first quarter in a 16-15 deficit to Indiana State, SIU’s junior guard Payton McCallister hit a three-point shot that gave them the 18-16 lead, and the Sycamores would never again regain the advantage. 

McCallister went 3-for-4 from three-point range and totalled 11 points to go with three rebounds and three steals. 

Senior guard Mackenzie Silvey led SIU’s offensive efforts with 21 points, hitting 9-for-18 from the field with three three-point baskets, and also adding five defensive rebounds, the best performance at the boards for the Salukis as well. 

Senior forward Rachel Pudlowski was the third Saluki who hit double-digits in scoring, totalling 13 points on 5-for-8 shooting and 3-for-4 from the free throw line. 

SIU was again without senior forwards Abby Brockmeyer and Awa Keita. 

The Sycamores had three players with double-digit points: sophomore forward Adrian Folks led with 14 points on 7-for-11 shooting, senior forward Jamyra McChristine finished with a double-double on 11 points and 11 rebounds and sophomore guard Caitlin Anderson finished with 11 points as well. 

Despite trailing by one at the end of the first quarter, the Salukis finished the first half up 34-27. Southern continued to push ahead in the third quarter to a 50-42 lead, and added 26 points in the fourth quarter for the victory. 

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The Salukis took a total of 54 shots and made 30, including 10-for-19 from the three range. SIU had a 50% success rate at the free throw line, finishing 6-for-12, and dominated the boards with 20 defensive and 14 offensive rebounds. 

Now having completed their series of road games at Drake and Indiana State, the Salukis will return to Banterra Center on Wednesday, Feb. 24 against Missouri State, who is 14-2 overall and undefeated in the Missouri Valley Conference with a 10-0 record. 

Next weekend the Salukis will also face Valparaiso University on Feb. 27 and 28 at home. 

Editor Brooke Buerck can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @bbuerck25. 

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