SIU WBB suffers 51-point loss to Middle Tennessee in home opener

SIU+sophomore%2C+Quierra+Love%2C+guards+an+Illinois+State+Redbirds%E2%80%99+player+during+the+basketball+game+Jan.+20%2C+2022+at+the+Banterra+Center+in+Carbondale%2C+Ill.+%0A

Dominique Martinez-Powell | @dmartinez_powell.photography

SIU sophomore, Quierra Love, guards an Illinois State Redbirds’ player during the basketball game Jan. 20, 2022 at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill.

By Assistant Sports Editor Cole Daily

Southern Illinois hosted the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders for their first official game of the new year. The Salukis lost at the Banterra Center, 89-38.

It was a rough start for the Dawgs. The Blue Raiders were hot to start the game, while clamping the Salukis on defense.

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SIU would fall behind in a significant margin, 26-9.

The second quarter was more of the same, with struggles every which way for the Dawgs. The Blue Raiders held a 47-17 lead heading into halftime.

In the third quarter, the Salukis continued falter, only scoring five points the whole quarter, compared to Middle Tennessee’s 27.

Southern Illinois finally reached double-digits in points scored for the fourth, outscoring the Blue Raiders 16-15. As the clock hit zero, the score showed 89-38, in favor of Middle Tennessee.

Sophomore Laniah Randle led the Salukis’ in points with 11 on the day. She also led the team in rebounds and blocks, with seven and three respectively.

Kelly Bond-White will hope to gain her first-ever win as an SIU head coach next Wednesday, November 16. They will play IUPUI in the Banterra Center.

Assistant Sports Editor Cole Daily can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at cdaily_de

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