SIU women’s basketball will play the next two Women’s National Invitational Tournament preseason games at SIU Arena after losing the season and tournament opener to No. 22 Depaul 105-61 Friday in Chicago. 

The Salukis’ second round game is against Siena at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

Redshirt sophomore guard Denisha Petty-Evans is a three-point threat for Siena, shooting 36 percent from beyond the arc.

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The Saints are shooting 33 percent from the field in the first two games of the season. The Salukis shot 42 percent in their first game. 

On Saturday, SIU will play against the winner of Friday’s Alabama State versus Tennessee State game.

Alabama State lost its opener to Southern Mississippi 65-44. Senior center Jasmine Peeples is 6 feet 2 inches tall — taller than any other eligible Saluki. 

SIU senior center Dyana Pierre, who is 6 feet 2 inches tall, is still suspended indefinitely. 

Peeples has eight rebounds through two games this season. SIU senior forward Kim Nebo also has eight, leading the team. The Salukis had 32 rebounds in the season opener. 

Tennessee State lost against Indiana, 88-56, in the first round. The team shot 16 percent in the first half, but was able to outscore the Hoosiers in the second half 42-38. 

Senior guard Brianna Lawrence led the Tigers in points, rebounds and steals against Indiana.  

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Overall, the Salukis will have to make a few changes in order to come away with two wins this weekend.

1. Limit turnovers in transition

SIU struggled against DePaul’s full court press and defensive pressure in the opening round with turning the ball over 24 times, which led to 30 points for the Blue Demons.

Senior guard Cartesha Macklin, junior guard Rishonda Napier and sophomore guard Kylie Giebelhausen accounted for 14 of the turnovers. 

2. Box out

DePaul grabbed 18 offensive rebounds, which amounted to 24 second-chance points. The Salukis cannot afford to trail in rebounds on a nightly basis if they hope to improve last season’s record.

3. Take smarter shots

The Salukis shot 42 percent from the field and 15 percent from the three-point line. Most of the shots were forced because of DePaul’s tight defense, but a better shot selection is something coach Cindy Stein should stress to her team. 

Ted Ward can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @TedWard_DE