It was a month.

It was six games.

It was six losses.

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It was a losing streak.

It was not pretty. The Salukis had a seven-point lead going into halftime, but they allowed the Aces to stay in the game. They were outrebounded 15-9 on the offensive boards. But a win is a win, and I am sure the Salukis will take what they can get.

There were some encouraging signs in the game. The Salukis shot better than 50 percent from the field and played fairly solid defense.

If it was not for Beth Hasheider’s three clutch free throws in the closing seconds of the game, they probably would have blown the game. If Meredith Jackson had not scored 20 points, the Salukis still may be dealing with a losing streak.

Both Jackson and Hasheider are leaders on the team, and they showed why Monday night.

It is Hasheider’s job to set up the offense and get the ball to either Theia Hudson down low or Jackson on the perimeter.

Jackson has to shoot the ball. That is her job. If she fails, then the whole offense suffers.

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Hudson’s job is to play the post and score in the blocks.

But lately, they have not been doing their jobs.

During the six-game losing streak, the team shot below 30 percent in some games. In other games, the team had many unforced turnovers and shot poorly from the line.

All of those factors are difficult to handle during a ball game. They are impossible to handle without leadership from veteran players.

What is impressive about the victory at Evansville is not the fact that they won. Evansville is in the midst of an eight-game losing streak. The Aces are 0-5 in the Missouri Valley Conference, and their star player, Shyla McKibbon, who averages 13.7 points per game, was absent from Monday’s game.

The fact that the Salukis beat the most inexperienced team in the conference is not a big deal. What is a big deal is the leadership the veterans provided to win that game.

Coach Cindy Scott benched starters Jackson and Melaniece Bardley at the start of Monday’s game. Scott wanted to see some different combinations, and she did not think her veterans were performing well.

Maria Niebrugge got the start in Jackson’s place. Niebrugge did well with eight early points, but she sustained an ankle injury midway through the first half.

Jackson then got a chance to prove why she should be in the starting lineup.

For the first time all year, Jackson provided the leadership she needs to give the team as a veteran player. Her 20-point game proved she not only deserves to start, but also that she is capable of stepping up and leading in the midst of adversity.

The Salukis could have easily lost the Evansville game they only won by a meager four points. But it was leadership by veteran players such as Jackson that helped them get the win.

If the Salukis want to have continued success, they have to be able to depend on Jackson and Hasheider to be leaders in difficult situations.

The Salukis have some time to vindicate themselves this season, but it will never happen unless the veterans continue to play with the kind of intensity they displayed Monday night.

The talent is there. The desire is there. The leadership could be there, but it is up to Jackson, Hasheider, Hudson, O’Desha Proctor, and Bardley if they are ready to provide it.

They showed what they are capable of doing in Evansville, but they need to continue to lead. The road ahead only gets tougher, and they won’t be playing last-place teams every night.