The SIU Women’s Basketball [9-15, 6-9 MVC] team suffered a tough loss to Belmont [16-10, 12-3 MVC] on Friday night, falling 80-70 against the Bruins.

Belmont, the number two team in the Missouri Valley Conference, came into the game with momentum, riding an 8 game winning streak and having beaten SIU earlier in the season 101-45.

The Dawgs won the turnover margin, forcing 18. They also had more steals than Belmont. However, Belmont’s shooting performance outshined SIU. The Bruins shot 27-51 [52.9%] from the field and 7-15 [46.7%] from three compared to the Salukis 25-61 [41.0%] from the floor and just 6-21 [28.6%] percent from three.

Quierra Love led the Salukis in scoring, with 15 points. Ashley Jones chipped in 11 and 5 steals, while Promise Taylor, who also had11, put up 8 rebounds and 5 blocks.

5 players scored for Southern in the first quarter, which ended with Southern surprisingly up 16-14.

However, that would be their only lead of the game. Belmont ended the second quarter up 33-26 while going on a 14-4 run and holding SIU scoreless for nearly 5 minutes during the period.

The Dawgs fell behind by 10 early in the third quarter, but managed to pull within 2 on a Promise Taylor layup with 6:20 left in the quarter. Southern drew within 4 with 1:54 remaining in the quarter, but couldn’t stay there, as Belmont finished the quarter up 8.

SIU would again draw within 4 as late with as few as five minutes remaining, but star Belmont guard Destinee Williams, the reigning MVC Player of the Week, helped Belmont maintain their edge through the last quarter by scoring 18 of her team’s 26 in the final frame.

The Salukis lost their third consecutive matchup versus Belmont, who lead the all-time series 3-0. With their win, Belmont extended their winning streak to nine in a row.

SIU will host Murray State at home on Sunday, February 21, as part of a back-to-back event with the men’s basketball team. All tickets purchased at the men’s game will be valid for the women’s game later that afternoon.

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Sports Reporter Ryan Grieser can be reached at [email protected]

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