A challenge from the coach to the upperclassmen at halftime was all the women’s basketball team needed to kick it in gear.

The Salukis won their final exhibition game on Sunday 87-58 against the Lambuth Eagles. SIU took a five-point lead into halftime against the reigning NAIA Division I National Champions before dominating in the second half, as they outscored the Eagles 50 to 26.

SIU locked down defensively in the second half as it out rebounded the Eagles 42 to 20 and registered 19 steals for the game. The Eagles turned the ball over 28 times and were held to 34 percent shooting in the second half.

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Seniors Cortney Sales, Jayme Sweere and Erin Pauk all had major contributions defensively. Sweere and Pauk combined for nine steals while Sales tied a team high with eight rebounds and had two steals of her own.

SIU coach Dana Eikenberg said she felt the team was unmotivated in the first half and challenged the upperclassmen to play hard.

“Lambuth really challenged our weaknesses and hopefully made this team recognize how hard we have to play everyday,” Eikenberg said. “I thought we did a much better job in the second half, particularly our upperclassmen who I challenged extensively at halftime to make defensive plays.”

The defensive plays led to offensive efficiency as the Salukis shot 57 percent in the second half. SIU started the second half with a 10-point run followed shortly afterward by a 14-point run. Sales started the first run after setting a screen and cutting down low for an easy lay up.

Freshman guard Ellen Young was the key in the second run as she contributed six of the 14 points. Young, who started in place of Sweere, finished with 14 points, seven rebounds and three steals.

Sweere was the top-scorer with 21 points despite coming off the bench. She shot 66 percent from the field and went 3-4 from behind the arc, while on defense she had a team high five steals.

Sweere said the teamwork led to her defensive success.

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“You rely on the person putting ball pressure on the person with the ball,” Sweere said. “They are the ones forcing the bad decision and that allows me to get in the lane and up the floor.”

The Eagles biggest offensive presence was 6-foot, 3-inch forward Donna Lavea. Lavea had a game-high four blocks and also chipped in with eight rebounds and 10 points.

Sales, who stands at six feet tall, had the assignment to guard Lavea.

“It was a challenge, but I like physical play and I try to stay active,” Sales said. “You have to be focused from the shoot-around in the morning to warm-ups. You always have to be on your toes because you never know what is going to happen.”

Junior Jasmine Gibson also played forward and contributed 15 points and tied Sales for the team high with eight rebounds.

The Salukis averaged 95.5 points per game over their two exhibition games this season. SIU is coming off a season in which the offense was ranked eighth in the Missouri Valley Conference.

Eikenberg said the offense this season is more aggressive.

“We’re scoring more points because there’s a more aggressive mentality on offense to get to the rim and penetrate, unlike last year,” Eikenberg said. “We’re getting more attempts so far this year, because last year we waited so long on the shot clock to take a shot. Now we’re running so we’re getting more opportunities.”

Daily Egyptian writer Jeff Engelhardt can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 238 or [email protected].