The SIU women’s basketball team used a dominant first quarter to pick up a win in its first home conference game of the season.

The Salukis (10-5, 3-0) defeated Bradley (4-9, 0-2) 75-49 behind 18 points from senior guard Cartaesha Macklin and double-doubles from senior center Dyana Pierre and junior forward Kim Nebo.

The Salukis set the tone quickly, jumping out to a 26-7 lead after the first period.

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Macklin led SIU and outscored the Braves on her own with eight points in the first quarter. Pierre grabbed eight rebounds in the first quarter.

Bradley kept pace with SIU in the second quarter, matching the Dawgs’ 15 points to contain the lead at 19.

After making all five of their 3-pointers in the first quarter, the Salukis missed their first three deep balls in the second, abandoning the outside shot for the final 5:29 of the half. 

SIU led 41-22 at halftime.

The Salukis started the second half as furiously as they started the first. A 14-0 run to start the third quarter extended the Dawgs’ lead to 55-22.

SIU went into cruise control for the remainder of the game and came away with the 26-point win.

Pierre recorded her 45th career double-double with 11 points and a game-high 17 rebounds. Nebo recorded the first double-double of her career with 14 points and 12 rebounds.

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Macklin led all scorers with 18 points.

Junior forward Whitney Tinjum led Bradley with 10 points.

The Salukis host Loyola at 2 p.m. Sunday at SIU Arena.

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