The SIU women’s basketball team was on the road, but a home-cooked meal Saturday night courtesy of Lori Giebelhausen, mother of sophomore forward Kylie Giebelhausen, helped fuel a win.

Giebelhausen, a native of East Peoria, led the Salukis with 15 points in a 65-51 victory at Bradley.

SIU (14-9, 7-4 Missouri Valley Conference) had three players score in double figures and five score at least nine points in completing the season sweep of the Braves (6-16, 2-9 MVC).

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Sophomore forward Celina VanHyfte recorded career-highs with 13 points and nine rebounds. 

SIU took an early 18-13 lead in after the first quarter. The Dawgs put some distance between themselves and the Braves with a 13-0 run to extend their lead to 31-15 in the second quarter, highlighted by five points in two possessions by junior guard Rishonda Napier.

Bradley answered with a 7-0 run to cut into the lead, but SIU ended the first half up 35-26, thanks in part to 11 Braves turnovers.

Giebelhausen, SIU senior guard Cartaesha Macklin, SIU junior forward Kim Nebo and Bradley senior guard Kat Yelle led all scorers with eight first-half points apiece. Nebo also had a game-high eight rebounds in the first half and tied a career high with 15 in the game. 

The Braves turned the ball over six times in the second half, compared to the Salukis’ seven, but could not draw any closer than nine points down the stretch.

Yelle led all scorers with a career-high 16 points.

The Salukis have a full week off before traveling to Evansville for a 2 p.m. Sunday game at the Ford Center.

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Thomas Donley can be reached at [email protected] or at 618-536-3307