The Salukis women’s basketball team welcomed the University of Northern Iowa Panthers to Banterra Center on Thursday, Feb. 19. 

The Panthers picked up the ball from the tip off and got nothing off their first shot. SIU Guard Alayna Krause picked up a 3-pointer in front of the Panther bench. 

UNI pushed through the Saluki defense through the first quarter, while the Salukis struggled at the basket. This caused the Salukis to rely on aggressive inside dribbling and smart passing from Carmen Morales. The first quarter battle ended with a score of 15 to 14, the Salukis trailing by one point.

A foul from SIU’s Kayla Cooper came 15 seconds after returning from the bench. The Dawgs managed to grab the lead before losing it to what would be one of many fouls. Kennedy Davis kept the score close with a 3-pointer and Krause followed up with one of her own, putting the Salukis up once again. 

The start of the second quarter presented multiple opportunities for Saluki players to stack up points, especially with strong passing and dribbling from Davis. She would finish out the quarter with a notable 10 points to her name. However, momentum from the Panthers would best the Saluki defense.

The Panthers led with defensive coverage that had SIU scrambling for the ball on multiple occasions. Executions on Saluki mistakes were taken, which put the Panthers on top going into the second half of the game, 39 to 31.

The Panthers began the second half expanding on their lead by more than 10 points just three minutes in. 

Passes from Krause would end up in UNI’s hands, creating multiple turnovers for the Salukis. Smooth jumpers from Saluki Indiyah Green appeared here and there, keeping up a slight battle between the two teams. However, what seemed like potential for SIU to rack up points would be shut down almost instantly with UNI points being added following any bursts from the Salukis. 

SIU continued to struggle at the basket, missing shot after shot. A scramble for the ball ended the third quarter 57 to 41 Panthers. 

A layup from Cooper began the quarter less than 30 seconds in, but it was followed by an 8 point run from UNI. This would prove to be a constant cycle when viewing the score; short blips of SIU scores followed by runs of Panther points.

While defense improved throughout the last quarter, shots from SIU players wouldn’t fall and the score grew farther apart. Harsh defense brewed up to 5 fouls for Cooper who was subbed out during the last few minutes of the game. 

With UNI in possession in the last 30 seconds, the game would arrive to a slow ending, as both teams shook hands with the clock still running. The final score went to UNI over SIU, 77 to 48.

The SIU women’s basketball team will return to Banterra Center to play their senior night against Indiana State on Saturday, Feb. 21.

Sports Reporter Leo Castro can be reached at @[email protected]

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