By Travis Akin 11

The SIUC women’s basketball team has set a pattern in all of its four losses this season by falling apart in the first half and making the game close with a second-half comeback.

The Salukis’ performance Saturday at Tennessee Tech University was no exception, as the Salukis were scoreless the first seven minutes of the game.

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The Salukis were only down 5-2 when they finally scored at the 13:02 mark. But the Golden Eagles built up a 33-24 lead at halftime and eventually beat SIUC 67-64.

With the loss, SIUC now has a record of 3-4 while Tennessee Tech is 4-2.

The Salukis never put solid play together in the first half, and 16 of their 20 turnovers came in the first half. They shot just 46 percent from the field in the first half, but they shot 50 percent from the field in the second half.

The Salukis outscored the Golden Eagles in the second half 40-34, but the first-half lead was too much for SIUC to overcome. The Salukis also held the Golden Eagles to shooting a mere 39 percent from the field in the second half.

But one factor in the Salukis’ loss was the 30 opportunities the Salukis gave the Golden Eagles to score at the free-throw line. The Salukis only made 15 trips to the free-throw line, and both clubs shot 73 percent from the free-throw line.

The Salukis had a much different second half. At the 16:51 mark, the Golden Eagles were up by 13, but the Salukis began to chip away at the Golden Eagle lead.

The Salukis began a 20-13 run at the 11:53 mark and took a 61-60 lead with just two minutes left in the game.

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But sophomore Lisa Parks hit a three-pointer for the Golden Eagle to take her team up 63-61 with just under two minutes left in the game. The Golden Eagles were undaunted after regaining the lead to defeat the Salukis.

Forward Amber Clark led all scoring with 19 points, and she went 7-for-13 from the field.

The Salukis got some help from freshman Terica Hathaway, who scored 16 second-half points to go along with six rebounds. Hathaway led the Salukis in scoring with just 24 minutes of playing time.

Center Theia Hudson went 6-for-11 from the field to go along with eight boards and ending with a total 12 points. But she was 0-for-3 from the free-throw line.

The Salukis play No. 21 University of Colorado at 2 p.m. Sunday at SIU Arena.