SIU women’s basketball continued its losing streak last night, as another strong non-conference team was able to outclass them.

Tennessee Tech’s Eaglettes (4-1) rose above the Salukis (3-3) with a powerful inside/outside attack. SIU suffered its third loss in as many games because of the Eaglettes’ trio of freshman Meagan Lyons, senior Emily Christian and junior Kendall Cavin.

Cavin and Lyons penetrated the Saluki defense repeatedly. Cavin scored 17 and Lyons dropped a game-high 24 points, mostly a product of speed and determination.

“She’s a quick guard and we had her identified, she only went one way,” head coach Dana Eikenberg said. “And we weren’t committed to forcing her to the left. Then, unfortunately, she would finish with a right-handed lay-up.”

Eaglette center Emily Christian posted a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. SIU junior Carlai Moore (8 points and 2 rebounds) and freshman Jasmine Gibson (12 points and 4 rebounds) were the only Salukis close to matching Christian’s effort.

Once again the Salukis faced an experienced and efficient frontcourt that exposed their weaknesses.

“We’re not a three-point shooting team and we took 21 shots,” Eikenberg said. “There was no poise; when we got the ball into the middle, we had success. So we’re not moving the ball around, we’re not going to what works well for us and we’ve got a couple of people who are taking too many shots.”

SIU’s scoring was spread out better in this game than in their last game versus Indiana with eight players scoring points, but no Saluki managed to consistently score like Tennessee Tech’s big three. Sophomore Elyse Morris’ 15 points led the Salukis.

Eikenberg said the Salukis’ deficiencies on offense and defense were a product of impatience and lack of composure.

Tennessee Tech led throughout the game but could never pull away by more than 14 points. In the second half, SIU pulled to within four points when its 6-0 run was silenced by a three-pointer by Cavin.

“Our lack of discipline on the defensive end and our inexperience never quite allowed us to get over the hump,” Eikenberg said.

Christian and Lyons added crucial three-point plays later in the half. The duo made themselves at home on the free throw line, shooting 15-of-17 combined in the game.

“We fouled out of frustration and that again is youth and inexperience,” Eikenberg said.

The loss Monday continues long streaks of futility on the road and versus Tennessee Tech. At Tennessee Tech’s Eblen Center, SIU has won only two of nine games with its last win coming in 1992. SIU’s only win in its last 12 road games came earlier this year to Murray State. The three game losing streak, fueled by some basic team flaws, has brought the young Saluki team down to Earth completely.

“We don’t have a post player that’s a go-to (player),” Eikenberg said. “That’s a challenge and it’s been thrown out there. If somebody’s going to step up to it then this team will get better.”

Reporter Kyle Means can be reached at [email protected]