As the weather outside turned chilly, so did SIU women’s basketball teaming a 61-55 loss to Marshall on Monday to finish the non-conference schedule.

After leading a majority of the game, the Salukis sloppy play in the second half allowed the Thundering Herd to rally and win.

The two teams kept the game close in the first quarter. SIU pulled away on a pair of three pointers from sophomore forward Celina VanHyfte, the first of her career, and senior guard Cartesha Macklin. Macklin finished with 15 points for the game. 

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Senior center Dyana Pierre scored eight of her 12 points in the second quarter, and another three-pointer from VanHyfte gave SIU a 38-27 lead at halftime.

In the second half, SIU cooled off as they shot 7-23 from the floor. The Salukis had 15 turnovers in the second half, after turning it just four times the entire first half. Marshall senior guard Leah Scott’s 17 points, 10 in the second half, lead the Thundering Herd comeback.

Trailing 55-52, junior guard Rishonda Napier hit a three-pointer to tie the game, but it would not be enough. Marshall senior guard Norrisha Victrum scored twice to give them the lead for good as the Thundering Herd finished shooting two free throws to put the game out of reach.

SIU outrebounded Marshall 41-36, but Marshall scored 21 points off SIU’s turnovers.

The Salukis start the new year against Drake at 2 p.m. on Jan.1 in Des Moines, Iowa.

Ted Ward can be reached at [email protected] or 534-3303