For the second game in a row, the Salukis concocted comeback wins against conference rivals after being down by double digits. After starting the season off 1-5, the resurging Saluki Women’s team have now won four of their last five to get to 2-0 to start conference play this season.

Junior Shemera Williams had herself a day, leading the Salukis with 18 points and three assists. Graduate Student Ashley Jones hit the double-digit point mark with 10 as well, coming up with four rebounds.

The Dawgs didn’t get out to the start they wanted, with Indiana State scoring the first five points and getting off to a 8-3 start. But after getting down 13-7, SIU scored the next nine points to finish out the quarter in the lead at 16-13.

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That lead would only last for about a minute in the second quarter, after a Sycamore three pointer and layup gave them the lead  once more at 18-16. The Salukis kept things tight though, not letting Indiana State go on a huge run. The Dawgs jumped back ahead briefly after some free throws by junior Promise Taylor. However, a quick three pointer gave the Sycamores a prime chance to end the half with the lead as they went into the locker room up 30-27 over the Salukis.

A terrific start to the second half for the Sycamores extended their lead up to 13 with a 13-3 run. They even extended that to lead by 16 points after a couple fouls by the dawgs gave them free throw opportunities. A technical foul gave Williams four free throw attempts, all of which she made, to keep the Salukis hanging in there down by nine and entered the fourth down 11.

Yet again, the fourth was where the Salukis found their magic, with a 19 point final frame. The Salukis earned the first seven points of the quarter to cut it to just a four point deficit. A foul by senior Quierra Love gave the Sycamores a three point play, but the Dawgs were right back on the prowl cutting it down to just a two point deficit after another layup by Williams.

A foul on Brown gave Indiana State two more points after some free throws, but then a three pointer by Williams gave the Dawgs the lead once more at 58-57 with just 30 seconds to play.

After a timeout by Indiana State, Jaidynn Mason came up with a clutch steal for a fastbreak layup with just under 20 seconds left to go up by three. The Sycamores would add one more free throw point, but wasn’t able to get another opportunity and the Salukis would hang on for the comeback win with a 60-58 final score.

The Dawgs will look to make it three wins in a row to start the conference season and try to get back to .500 play against Bradley University this Thursday January 5th with a 6 pm tip-off time. The Salukis will also be celebrating their Conference championship banner with a banner raising ceremony.

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

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