Somewhere on the road between Cedar Falls, Iowa, and Carbondale, the SIUC women’s basketball found confidence.

They didn’t play spectacular basketball this weekend they didn’t even win, but they didn’t quit either.

Forget the 5-12 record and the three-game losing streak. Forget the shooting problems and turnovers.

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That really doesn’t matter because for part of their last two games, the Salukis dominated the top two teams in the Missouri Valley Conference.

All season long, coach Cindy Scott has been inundated with questions about her team’s confidence. Heck, I’ve even asked her a few questions about the subject myself.

After all, it is a valid question considering the team has lost nine of the last 11 games. Losing so often is bound to influence how confident any team plays.

It is bound to cause a team to shoot poorly and contribute to the many other mistakes the Salukis have made on the court.

But for a few brief moments this weekend, I saw a poised basketball team shooting with confidence and outplaying the best teams the MVC has to offer.

During the last five minutes of Thursday’s 64-61 loss to Creighton University and Saturday’s 73-54 loss to Drake University, the Salukis made scoring runs that completely stymied their opponents. SIUC used a 20-5 run against Creighton and a 12-0 run against Drake to keep its hopes alive.

They broke through presses, they generated steals and made their opponents more than a little uneasy. They were playing with a purpose.

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Perhaps there might have been an element of desperation that caused them to turn the tables on Creighton and Drake. But it takes some confidence to be able to execute, especially in desperate circumstances.

A lesser team would have rolled over and let Creighton and Drake finish the pounding. A lesser team would not have had the confidence to muster any kind come back against any team and especially against the best teams in the conference.

But SIUC is not a lesser team. The Salukis are a group of talented players who are accustomed to winning.

The Salukis showed they can play with good teams. When they are tested, they have the ability to respond and play well.

They know they have talent. I have heard them talk about it. But it takes more than ability to win games. It also takes confidence in that ability.

Their performance in the closing minutes of the last two games showed that with a little confidence, the Salukis can play with just about anybody.

Now it is time to play with that confidence for more than five minutes a game.

The Salukis did find confidence even it was for just a short while.

But there is no glory in playing tough teams close. There certainly is no glory in losing by 19 points to anybody. Part of being confident is not settling for mediocrity.

I remember hearing the entire team talk about the goals for the season. Everyone talked about conference titles and championships. Listening to everyone talk, it all seemed possible.

It still is. It is time to stop talking and do something about it.