The SIU women’s basketball is without its star post player indefinitely.

Coach Cindy Stein said senior center Dyana Pierre is “day to day” after dislocating her right shoulder during Sunday night’s 82-77 loss at Missouri State. Stein said Pierre has been rehabbing her shoulder and has not yet returned to practice.

Pierre was injured battling for post position with three minutes to play in the fourth quarter Sunday. She left the game with 16 points and 10 rebounds, her seventh straight double-double. 

Advertisement

Pierre is the Missouri Valley Conference’s leading rebounder with 12.1 boards per game. She is eighth in the conference and second on the team with 14.0 points per game. Her twelve double-doubles lead the Valley.

This will not be the first time the Salukis will be without their All-MVC center. Pierre served a suspension during the first weeks of the season, missing both of SIU’s exhibition games and its season opener. SIU was 2-1 in those games. 

“Honestly, we got used to not having her on the floor early in the season,” Stein said. “And she got in foul trouble against Wichita, so we had to deal without her there. There’s been times in games where other kids have had to step up. So I feel like we’ll be fine.”

“Obviously, she’s a big focal point for opposing defenses. We’re not going to change what we’re doing or how we want to do it. We’ll let the chips fall where they do.”

The Salukis’ first test with Pierre sidelined will be Friday night against Indiana State. The Sycamore frontcourt includes 6-foot-3 junior forward Kelsie Dirks and 6-foot junior forward Joyea Marshall. 

Dirks averages 4.0 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. Marshall averages 7.2 points and a team-high 8.0 rebounds per game.

“They’re pretty big,” SIU sophomore forward/center Celina VanHyfte said. “They’re physical, they have really good post moves. It’s going to be tough, but I think we can do it.”

Advertisement*

The players who will be asked to step in for Pierre feel confident in their ability to fill the void.

“[Pierre]’s a huge rebounder and defender,” junior forward Kim Nebo said. “She draws a lot of attention, but I feel like me and Celina can fill in for her and hopefully get the win.”

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