The Saluki women ended their two-game losing streak on Saturday as they defeated Marshall University (2-5) by a score of 64-59.

The contest marked the fifth time that the two teams met, as the Thundering Herd won the previous three matchups over the Salukis.

SIU’s last win against Marshall came at the Holiday Inn Classic in December of 1993 where Southern emerged victorious 78-62.

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In the first quarter, freshman forward Rachel Pudlowski broke the mold for the Salukis and drained a 3-pointer. She followed with a layup that gave SIU a 12-6 lead. Pudlowski finished the contest with a career-high of 12 points.

The Thundering Herd fought back and scored seven unanswered points that earned them a 13-12 lead.

Senior guard Kylie Giebelhausen, who led Southern with 15 points and had seven steals, put an end to Marshall’s run with a jumper that sparked a 7-0 run and put the Salukis ahead 19-13.

Marshall fought back and tied the game at 21 points each. The Salukis broke loose and scored nine consecutive points that gave them a 30-21 lead.

The Thundering Herd never gained any ground on Southern and trailed 37-29 at halftime.

Pudlowski kept the momentum in SIU’s favor in the third quarter, as she started the half off with a 3-pointer and two layups. The offensive spurt earned Southern its largest lead of the game at 46-32.

After it led for three quarters, SIU struggled in the fourth as was outscored 15-10 by Marshall.

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The Salukis allowed nine straight points in the first three minutes of the frame that put the Thundering Herd at one point of SIU’s 54-53 lead.

Marshall came up with a big three-point play that earned it a 59-58 lead, its first since the first quarter.

Southern refused to let the win slip through its fingers and closed out the final quarter with a 6-0 that sealed a hard-fought road victory.

The Salukis (4-3) return home on Dec. 7 to take on Martin Methodist College. Tipoff is scheduled for 12 p.m.

Sports reporter Dillon Gilliland can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @DillonGilliland.

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