The SIU women’s basketball team has a target on their back as they try to maintain first place in the Missouri Valley Conference this weekend when Bradley and Northern Iowa come to town.

The Salukis (13-9, 9-2) are coming off a win against Illinois State on Sunday and have a pair of games with middle of the pack MVC teams coming up.

SIU has won 10 of its last 12 games and will take on Bradley (8-14, 4-7) at 7:05 p.m. Friday at the SIU Arena.

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Saluki coach Dana Eikenberg said Bradley is a talented team who is dangerous inside and outside.

“They have some guards who can really shoot the ball as well as some post players can get inside,” Eikenberg said. “We got to be aware of their transition offense because they are a team who is very hungry.”

The Braves feature the conference’s eighth ranked offense scoring a paltry 64.1 points per game. They also give up 69.9 points per game, which also ranks near the bottom of the MVC.

Junior guard Jayme Sweere said Bradley’s guard pressure should be tough from an improved Bradley team.

“They are a much improved team, they’ll come out and work hard and we still have something to prove,” Sweere said. “We’re stepping everything up a notch including defensive pressure and fast break offense.

On Sunday, the Salukis will finish off their home sand with a 2:05 p.m. tilt with Northern Iowa.

The Panthers (13-9, 7-4) are in fourth place in the MVC and rank below SIU in both offensive and defensive categories.

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Northern Iowa is sixth in the conference in scoring at 67.2 ppg while allowing 64.8 ppg on the defensive end.

SIU shouldn’t expect to get many 3-pointers off, however, as they lead the conference allowing only .287 percent shooting from beyond the arc.

For the first time in more than 10 years, the Salukis will be playing with a realistic shot at a conference title but that isn’t affecting the team’s concentration. Eikenberg said the Salukis first place label doesn’t make much of a difference.

“I don’t think where we are in the league has anything to do with how we practiced,” Eikenberg said. “We are just playing with more confidence and trying to maintain consistency.”