SIUC senior forward Branda Anderson’s stat line was not impressive for her only start of the season. Zero points, zero assists and one rebound in nine minutes of action.

But a 62-54 win over Wichita State University Saturday night at SIU Arena was all the satisfaction Anderson needed to cap off her regular-season career.

Anderson, primarily used as a role player throughout her four years as a Saluki, was inserted into the starting lineup as part of Senior Appreciation Night. She was able to join seniors Theia Hudson and Beth Hasheider on the floor at the start of the game.

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Hudson finished with a game-high 14 points and Hasheider added 10 in their final home games. Junior guard O’Desha Proctor chipped in with 11.

It was an emotional time because I got to get out there with my fellow seniors and help them get off to a great start, Anderson said. It didn’t really matter to me I just wanted to win. It’s a big win because its going to give us a confidence builder going into the conference tournament.

The Salukis led the entire way but could never shake the pesky Shockers. The win ended SIUC’s regular season at 10-17 overall and 7-11 in conference play before the team’s date with No. 1 seed Drake University in the Missouri Valley Conference tournament Thursday in Springfield, Mo. WSU fell to 13-13 and 9-9 in the Valley.

I thought it was very important that we got a win because we haven’t had a lot of positives to build on this season, SIUC coach Cindy Scott said. The fact that we could get a win and maybe feel a little bit better before heading down to Springfield would certainly help us.

SIUC threatened to blow open the game on several occasions but could never manage a lead larger than 12 points in the second half. Hasheider hit two free throws with 9:54 remaining to give the Salukis a 42-32 lead.

But Shocker senior forward Emily Marsh and junior center Jane Rauscher kept their team in striking distance. Rauscher scored nine of her team-high 13 in the second half, and Marsh scored six of WSU’s next eight points during one stretch to bring the Shockers within five at the 6:54 mark.

Wichita would get no closer as the Salukis secured the win from the foul line. SIUC sank 11 of 16 free throw in the last six minutes to preserve the win. The Salukis went 22-for-34 from the stripe for the game.

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I think coming out strong really helped us, Hasheider said. We got the early lead and were able to keep it throughout the game.

SIUC opened by scoring the game’s first 12 points and held Wichita without a field goal for nearly ten minutes. The Salukis handled WSU’s full-court pressure well, which resulted in several transition baskets.

A three-point play by sophomore center Melaniece Bardley with 25 seconds remaining in the half opened the largest lead of the game at 30-15. The Salukis, who have fallen victim to many scoring droughts this season, finally got a chance to be on the flip side.

It’s usually the other way around, Scott said. I looked at the scoreboard and I thought, My God, we’re down by 12 again.’ I had to be reminded that we were actually the ones up.

Coach Scott’s team will have to take advantage of every opportunity next week in facing Drake. The Bulldogs have beaten the Salukis by an average of 23 points in their previous meetings this season.

When asked how she felt about how her team matches up with Drake, Scott did not have a positive outlook.

[It is] not good at all Drake is bigger, Scott said. They’re better than us, but the better team doesn’t always win.

The Salukis head to Springfield, Mo., Thursday to face Drake University in the first round of the Missouri Valley Conference tournament.