Despite turnovers, Salukis stay hot against Sycamores

By Thomas Donley, @TdonleyDE

The SIU women’s basketball team extended its win streak to six games Sunday at Indiana State.

Despite turning the ball over a season-high 25 times, the Salukis (15-9, 8-5) beat the Sycamores (16-8, 6-7) 76-58.

The Salukis jumped out to a 12-2 lead to start the game and never looked back. SIU was up 32-23 at halftime.

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Junior center Dyana Pierre finished the first half just shy of her sixth straight double-double, with 10 points and 9 rebounds.

Indiana State junior guard Cierra Ceazer and senior forward Racheal Mahan led the team with 6 points each in the first half.

The Sycamores did not go away quietly in the second half, but never came within six points.

Sophomore point guard Rishonda Napier led all scorers with 23 points. She also recorded 8 assists, 7 rebounds, 6 steals and 8 turnovers.

Freshman guard Kylie Giebelhausen scored 16 points, going 5-of-8 beyond the arc.

Pierre finished with 16 points and 15 rebounds to record her 35th career double-double and 14th of the season. The Salukis are 13-1 this year when Pierre has a double-double.

Ceazer led Indiana State with 16 points.

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The win was SIU’s first in Terre Haute since 1999.

SIU returns home to take on the Missouri State Bears (9-13, 6-5) at 6:05 p.m. Friday at SIU Arena.

Thomas Donley can be reached at [email protected] or at 536-3311 ext. 269.

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