The No. 8 ranked Southern Illinois Women’s basketball team faced off against No. 9 Indiana State in the opening round of Hoops in the Heartland on Thursday, March 12. Both teams entered the match looking to advance, but the Salukis took a first round exit after being outscored by the Sycamores 81-69.

The jump ball was lost by Southern Illinois and so would their first point to Indiana State. However, Indya Green would run a 6-point streak with her layups two minutes in, assisted by her teammates Kayla Cooper and Alayna Krause. 

The pace that both teams kept seemed to be fueled consistently through the first quarter, as both teams traded runs and scores. Krause shot jumpers that ranged from eight to seventeen feet. The intense flow towards the end of the quarter kept the Salukis within just one play of gaining the lead on the Sycamores with a close 25-23 score.

Moving into the second quarter, energy not quite like the first took over both teams. A deep 3-point jumper by Karris Allen would give the Salukis their first point of the quarter about three minutes in. A much slower paced quarter of the game would be evident as only 13 points would come from Indiana State and 6 from Southern Illinois during the ten minutes.

Coming out of half time, the Sycamores would start heavy with 5 points within the first minute, creating a small distance for breathing room. Quick back and forth banter took place going into the seventh minute with each team trading equal points. With each Saluki point, it never seemed to be followed up with a Sycamore one. 

The last quarter of the game started with Salukis down 57-54. Keeping up with ISU, Jeniah Thompson dropped a jumper to put the Dawgs just one point away from tying the game with eight minutes left. However, a powerful 9-point jump to the Sycamore’s score was a big push for a wide gap in points between the two teams. 

With time running out, close plays seemed farther and farther from achieving. 5 points from Krause were the last of the Salukis points as the game came to a final close for the Southern Illinois women’s basketball season. The Salukis were bested by the Sycamores in a final score of 81-69.

The Salukis women’s basketball season came to an end with a 81-69 loss to the Indiana State Sycamores. The team finished with an overall record of 10-20.

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

Advertisement