The Southern Illinois University Women’s Basketball team traveled to Indiana to finish out their last regular season game against the Evansville Purple Aces. In an intense final matchup, the Salukis ended their 6-game loss streak with a well-classed performance to snatch the win. 

Within the first couple minutes, the Aces took a strong lead of seven points.As a response, Salukis responded with a lead of their own, keeping the two teams within a few plays of each other. 

More than seven lead changes occurred in the last half of the quarter, showcasing a fight that each team held onto. The Dawgs were able to hold their lead after it was taken back by Indya Green with a layup. Another layup by Kayla Cooper would end the first quarter with SIU up 19-14. 

The Salukis began the 2nd half with four points of their own that the Aces quickly retaliated with 7 points added to their score. A clean lay up by Green took this run to an end and began one for the Dawgs. 

A 9-point run gave way for SIU to continue to assert dominance on the court. A short period of back and forth banter kept the score going with Salukis dominating, by the end of the quarter the score was a good path for SIU. A green 3-pointer by Cooper ended the Salukis’ points for the half, putting them up 51-32. 

Continuous layups from Green started off the third quarter, but the Aces managed to drop a few points of their own in between. A jumper by Cooper 4 minutes in marked a 20-point difference in the score, a significant look for the Salukis. 

A few good runs by the Aces allowed them to get ahead in points for the quarter, but not for the game. 13 points for the Aces and 10 for the Salukis closed out the quarter with the  Salukis still up 61-47.

An intense fight for the ball shook the first minute of the last quarter before Cooper put up a good free throw. A back-to-back 3-point run for the Aces jumped their score enough to get them within less than 5 points to make the game in their favor. 

Free throws proved to be helpful for the Salukis as Green and Alayna Krause made theirs to add to the Saluki score. Layups from the Aces gave them hope as they continued to stay within 10-points; however, SIU worked hard to stray from giving away that opportunity. 

A jumper from Krause would be the last point before numerous free throws gave points to the Salukis, keeping them narrowly ahead for the short and successful end that neared with drama. 

Layups from the Aces proved to be helpful, as well as a rare 3-pointer that put them within a 5-point range from putting the game in their favor. The Salukis, with their free throws, kept that distance continuous. Two good free throws by Krause with seven seconds left on the clock shut the game out in SIU’s favor, 75-69.

The Salukis will look to bring this winning motivation into their first game in the Missouri Valley Women’s Basketball Tournament Hoops in the Heartland on Thursday, March 13. Their first matchup begins against Indiana State at 3:30 p.m. 

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

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