DE Assistant Sports Editor

All good things must come to an end.

The Salukis’ 27-game winning streak over Bradley University came to an end Monday night, as the SIUC women’s basketball team fell 66-58 to the Lady Braves at Robertson Field House.

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SIUC shot only 37-percent from the field, and was 1-2 from the free-throw line in the contest.

A well-balanced Bradley squad put the Salukis out of the game early, and built a 8-5 lead behind consistent shooting.

Forwards Jamie Broadstone and Tammy Van Oppen let loose, combining for seven points in the first seven minutes of the contest.

SIUC could not convert, and Bradley pulled ahead by 10, 15-5, with just over 13 minutes left in the half.

Things began to turn around when guard Kasia McClendon nailed two three pointers, cutting the deficit to 17-11. Senior forwards LaQuanda Chavours and Heather Slater kept momentum alive with key buckets, when McClendon’s steal victimized the Braves and put the Salukis up 23-21. This would be the last time SIUC owned the lead.

Bradley quickly recovered, with Van Oppen hitting two free throws and a trey from sophomore guard Dana Anderson.

SIUC’s defense could not stop the Lady Braves, and despite a desperation three-point shot at the buzzer by McClendon, Bradley took a 33-30 lead into the locker room.

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The Salukis’ shooting woes continued as play resumed. SIUC only scored six points in the first nine minutes of the second stanza.

Bradley took advantage of SIUC’s offensive drought, building a 13-point lead, 49-36.

With 7:12 left in regulation, McClendon started an SIUC comeback, sinking a five-foot jumper. Slater poured in seven points, including the lone Saluki free throw of the evening, to bring SIUC within five, 54-49.

McClendon led SIUC, scoring 20 points and grabbing three boards. She also had three assists and three steals in the contest.

The Lady Braves would not be denied, however, and eight Van Oppen clutch free throws down the stretch ended the Salukis’ run at victory.

SIUC associate coach Julie Beck said poor decisions on the court were key factors in the loss.

We did not shoot well at all, and I think the main problem wasn’t really the shots going in, it was the shots we were taking, she said. I don’t think we took good shots at all. Our shot selection was poor.

I thought when we should have shot sometimes they passed it. We just really rushed our offense to a point where we just didn’t make the right decisions.

Beck also said SIUC has to get back into the game mentally before facing Missouri Valley Conference rival Illinois State Thursday night.

We just have to regroup, and get after Illinois State with some vengeance, she said. That’s a real crucial game now.