The Saluki women’s basketball team was no match for the Wichita State Shockers, falling 80-61.

SIU tied the game for 40 seconds in the first half but never led in the game.

At halftime, the Shockers led the Salukis 43-29. SIU cut the deficit to 6 points in the second half but the Shockers regained control of the game en route to the victory.

The Salukis had a combined 39 points from two players.

Junior forward Dyana Pierre finished with a game-high 21 points and 7 rebounds.

Freshman guard Kylie Giebelhausen had 18 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists.

The Shockers were led by senior forward Kelsey Jacobs who finished the game with 17 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists.

Junior guards Blair Stephenson and Hannah Shores have been filling in for injured sophomore point guard Rishonda Napier. Their scoring dried up against the Shockers.

Stephenson started the game and scored 3 points in 14 minutes. Shores was on the court for four minutes and did not score.

Junior guard Cartaesha Macklin scored 8 points and had a game-high 7 assists.

Senior guard Mercedes Griffin came off the bench and played 26 minutes. She scored 2 points and had a team-high 7 turnovers.

The Shockers were able to score 17 bench points compared to SIU’s 4. Wichita State’s bench was led by sophomore center Brittany Martin who added 9 points.

Coach Cindy Stein will have another opportunity to get 200 Division I victories, as the Salukis take on the Loyola Ramblers at 6:05 p.m. Friday at SIU Arena.

Brent Meske can be reached at [email protected] or at 536-3311 ext. 269