ULM outlasts Salukis in back-and-forth game

By: Nick Pfannkuche

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An early 13-0 run doomed the Salukis as they played host to the Warhawks of the University of Louisiana-Monroe (ULM) this Wednesday in a women’s basketball matchup. 

The score bounced back and forth early in the game. Neither team was able to widen the margin or hold a lead for very long until ULM pulled away on a 13-0 run midway through the first quarter, led by Jakayla Johnson’s 7 points in the quarter.

The surges from the Warhawk offense was a theme on the night, with three double-digit runs to push their way past the Dawgs for a 79-66 win.

A big part of the reason why the Hawks were able to go on such a run was with the rebounding. The Salukis were out rebounded 18-6 in the first quarter, including giving up eight offensive boards.

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“The difference of the game in the first half was offensive rebounds.” Coach Kelly Bond-White said.

The turnovers certainly didn’t help either, with the Salukis credited with 26 of them in the game. The Warhawks took advantage of the opportunities and tallied 29 points off turnovers.

SIU was able to find their footing going into the second quarter, shrinking what had ballooned to a 10 point lead, down to five by halftime.

Isabella Palmqvist, Gift Uchenna and Kayla Cooper led the way offensively in the first half with six points each.

Palmqvist finished the night, going three-for-four from three-point range in an 11 point effort.

Bond-White said of Palmqvist, “(She’s) getting better and better.”

Uchenna provided an imposing presence in the paint for SIU and led the team with 16 points and continued her emergence as a strong interior player for the Dawgs, drawing high praise from Bond-White.

“I think you guys saw what she could do tonight.” Bond-White said.

Out of the break, the Salukis were able to grab the lead before ULM responded with a 12-1 run to take it right back. But the Dawgs weren’t going away quietly, and made it a one point game by the end of the quarter.

Tyranny Brown exploded during the quarter, dropping 11 of her 14 points in the frame. Her 14 points marked her highest total of the season, and was the second-most by a Saluki on the night.

“I’m really really proud of that kid.” Bond-White said.

Much of the fourth quarter was spent in a deadlock, with neither team willing to give much, until ULM did what they had done all night and went on a 15-0 run to help lock up a 79-66 victory.

The Salukis (0-3) will play their next game on Saturday Nov. 16, when they travel to Indianapolis to take on the Jaguars of IU Indy.

Sports Reporter Nick Pfannkuche can be reached at [email protected]. To stay up to date on all your southern Illinois news, be sure to follow The Daily Egyptian on Facebook and X @dailyegyptian.

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