Three SIUC football team members have earned Gateway Football Conference All-Newcomer team honors. Junior quarterback Kent Skornia, junior punter John Amitrano and freshman defensive lineman Tavita Tovio were named to the team Monday.

Skornia, a transfer from the University of Missouri-Columbia, connected on 144 of 261 passes for 1,980 yards and threw 14 touchdowns this season. Amitrano, a junior-college transfer from Nassau Community College in Valley Stream, N.Y., had 71 punts for 3,040 yards, an average of 42.82 yards per punt. He led the Gateway in total yards and yards per game average.

Tovio, a freshman from Honolulu, registered 50 tackles, including five for losses, this season. He added one sack while playing in nine of SIUC’s 11 games.

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SIUC finishes fifth in San Juan Shootout

The SIUC women’s basketball team dropped its first two games of the San Juan Shootout but salvaged a fifth-place finish Sunday by defeating the University of Puerto Rico 77-40.

The Salukis controlled the second half of Sunday’s game by putting up a 22-3 run and allowing just 14 points. Theia Hudson led the Salukis in scoring with 19 points to go along with six rebounds.

In the first game of the tournament, the Salukis shot 42 percent from the free-throw line in a 73-62 loss to Detroit Mercy Thursday afternoon.

The Salukis struggled offensively because many of their players had foul trouble. Hudson was only able to play 21 minutes, while center Melaniece Bardley fouled out.

The offensive troubles continued as the Salukis shot just 30 percent from the field in the first half of a 76-54 loss to Duke Saturday. At halftime, Duke had a 43-20 lead and the Salukis were never able to catch up despite a 7-0 run in the second half.

The Salukis are now 2-3 for the season and will play Murray State University at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Murray, Ky.

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Jones scores touchdown in victory

Former SIUC football player Damon Jones caught his first touchdown reception of the season in the Jacksonville Jaguars’ 29-27 victory over the Baltimore Ravens in Jacksonville Sunday.

The touchdown was Jones’ first catch of the season in eight games of action at tight end for the Jaguars. He finished the day with two catches for 34 yards. Jones saw action in seven previous games on special teams’ play.

The 26-yard reception from quarterback Mark Brunell capped off a drive of seven plays for 74 yards to open the third quarter and extend the Jaguars’ lead to 23-14.

Oilers lose Robertson to knee injury

The Tennessee Oilers will be without starting safety Marcus Robertson when the team plays the Cincinnati Bengals Thursday.

Robertson underwent orthroscopic surgery on his right knee Sunday after injuring the knee in the game against Dallas on Thanksgiving.

Robertson injured his knee in the third quarter of the Oilers’ 27-14 victory. An MRI had only shown a sprain, but Robertson apparently suffered an injury to the cartilage that caused his knee to swell.

The 28-year-old Robertson has returned a fumble for a touchdown in each of Tennessee’s last two games. He has five interceptions this season, giving him a career total of 20. Robertson is in his seventh NFL season, all with the Oilers.