EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated to correct misspellings of player names

The SIU Women’s basketball team traveled to Normal, Illinois, to face the Illinois State Redbirds once again this season on Thursday, Feb 26 where the Salukis would take a 60-78 loss.

SIU was able to grab the first point of the game despite losing tipoff from Indya Green with a tip-in layup.

The Redbirds would soon follow up with their own and be able to acquire the lead with a few runs. 

Breaking the Saluki’s defense, Redbird’s offense was filled with passing on the side to scramble SIU players. Missed jumpers and layups from SIU kept them behind on the scorecard. Points continued from ISU as they worked the inside.

Nearing the end of the first quarter, both teams begin to wind down. The SIU offense began to break off and SIU lost control of the ball at times. The quarter closed out with the Redbirds taking a steal from the Salukis that turned into a quick turnover which was shut down by Kynnedi Davis. 

A risky lob to the inside started off the point run for the Salukis going into the second quarter, allowing SIU players to get on the inside of ISU defense. 

The Salukis were able to grab the lead for the second time since the beginning of the game. Not long after, they would lose it to the Redbirds. Alayna Kraus picked up her first point during a 12-point run from the Salukis, setting themselves within close distance from the Redbirds. Turnovers and steals kept the Salukis in control as they finished out the quarter. 

The Redbirds continued their efforts as they racked up a few points, including a buzzer beating jumper that sent the game into halftime. 

Coming into the third quarter, a fadeaway shot by ISU was thwarted by Jeniah Thompson. The Dawgs followed up with 4 points in the first minute of the quarter. 

A number of fouls by SIU players gave multiple opportunities for free throws. A hard fought effort brewed from both teams as they fought for possession, however the Salukis would find more fouls than possessions in this quarter. 

A total of 13 points were collected by the Redbirds purely out of free throw shots, which the Salukis struggled to remove themselves from. Key players like Kraus and Green were benched as a result, which ISU capitalized on. 

A sudden 12 point lead by the Redbirds put them above the Salukis, who could only return with free throw points. Seven more points would follow right after in a run for the Redbirds, closing out the quarter with Salukis falling behind 56-48. 

Kraus made a jumper within the first minute of the last quarter which marked her 10th point in the game. A much lower number than the last game against the Redbirds where she dropped 30 against the Redbirds. 

ISU out matched Saluki points, dropping a 7-point run before a SIU timeout would be called. Coming out of the break, Salukis hoped to grab the focus, however they would ultimately end up fumbling and scrambling for lost balls. 

The Redbirds were able to capture sufficient turnovers, with clean shots coming off of the glass. Salukis fought at the end with a short 4-point run to bring the game to a final score in favor of the Redbirds 60-78. 

A hardfought game with 12 ties and 9 lead changes was given up to the Illinois State Redbirds and would give SIU another loss for their record. 

The Salukis will return to Carbondale to take on Drake University on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 2 p.m.  

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

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