The Saluki Women’s Basketball team (0-3) traveled over to Evanston Saturday for their first road matchup of the season against Northwestern (2-2). The Dawgs lost their third game in as many tries to mark the worst start to a season for the girl’s team since the 2013-14 season.

The Dawgs offense was carried by junior Promise Taylor and graduate Student Ashley Jones. Taylor and Jones combined for almost half of the Salukis points tonight. Taylor led the way with 20 points, five rebounds, adding two steals, a block, and an assist. Jones added 14 more points, three assists, a rebound, and a steal. Sophomore Laniah Randle helped out by leading in rebounds with nine and adding six points of her own.

Slow starts continue to be a trend for the Dawgs, as the Wildcats scored the first nine points before the Salukis earned their first basket. A jumper by Taylor followed by a three pointer by Aja Holmes helped the Salukis get the closest they were throughout the rest of the night at 12-7. The Dawgs would trail by 12 after one frame at 25-13.

The foot was on the gas for the Wildcats, as they gained a 20 point lead just halfway through the second quarter at 37-17. The Dawgs would inch themselves closer as Quierra Love would put them within 13 after a jump-shot, but the Salukis would still go into the locker room down by 18 at 52-34.

Southern once again began to inch away at the lead, after a fastbreak by freshman Jaidynn Mason got the Dawgs back within 12 just under two minutes into the half. However, they couldn’t get under the double-digit mark, as they went into the fourth down 19 this time at 70-51.

A Wildcats three pointer to start the fourth would earn them the greatest lead they had all night of 22 at 73-51 and it was just too much for SIU to overcome, despite outsourcing Northwestern in the final frame. The Dawgs would go down by 15 to Northwestern with a 84-69 final score.

The Salukis will now look to avoid an 0-4 start on the year when they host the Memphis Tigers (3-1) just two days before Thanksgiving on November 22nd. That game will tip-off at 6 pm.

Sports editor Joseph Bernard can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @Jojobernard2001. 

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