The Salukis put up a fight Sunday, but it was not enough to overcome the undefeated conference team as they took a near 20-point loss to Indiana State University at SIU Arena.

Prior to the 63-44 loss to the Sycamores, the team took a tough 76-59 loss Friday against the Illinois State University Redbirds.

The Redbirds won only two games before defeating the Salukis. ISU shot 82 percent from the free-throw line, better than the Salukis’ 68 percent. The Redbirds never gave the Salukis a chance to lead.

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Coach Cindy Stein said the Salukis sometimes lack energy and confidence, which leads to losses like the game against the Redbirds.

ISU sophomore forward Octavia Crump led the Redbirds with 20 points. Right behind her was ISU senior guard Chloe Nelson with 19 points.

The Salukis were also outscored in the paint. The Redbirds scored 42 points in the lane, to the Salukis’ 20 points.

Sophomore forward Dyana Pierre and junior guard Mercedes Griffin led SIU with 14 points each, but it was not enough to defeat the Redbirds.

The last few losses for the Salukis have had one common denominator: turnovers.

They played a huge factor with 22 in the loss to ISU and 27 Sunday against the Sycamores.

“I liked the way our kids rallied,” Stein said. “I didn’t like our turnovers and obviously we are probably going to get pressed the entire season and that’s just something we’ll have to continue to get better at.”

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Although the Salukis came up short, they showed much more aggression and hustle against Indiana State. Even so, the Sycamores went on a run that helped keep their undefeated conference record.

It was a close battle until the Sycamores went on a 10-0 run with under 10 minutes remaining in the second half.

Indiana State did not make it easy for SIU to get the ball down the court. The Sycamores unleashed a tough full court press defense, which helped the Sycamores snatch 14 steals.

By halftime, the Sycamores were on top of the Salukis 31-23. Indiana State scored 10 bench points to SIU’s zero.

The Salukis did not hit a 3-pointer the entire game, which stalled their comeback run. Indiana State went 4-12 from behind the arc, while SIU went 0-7.

Stein said the only way they are going to become better shooters is by taking extra shots in practice.

“We have to hit some outside shots,” Stein said. “We have to find one or two kids that can score on the perimeter and I think that’s going to help open up a lot of stuff for us.”

Stein was proud of her junior guard’s performance. Griffin led the Salukis in scoring against the Sycamores with 15 points.

“I really enjoyed the play of Mercedes Griffin,” Stein said. “I know she had seven turnovers but god, she played hard. She was a leader out there, she kept us together, and I feel like that was the brightest spot of the game.”

The junior continuously drove to the basket. Griffin said the Salukis brought the loss upon themselves because of unforced turnovers.

“We just have to learn something from each game,” Griffin said. “We just have to get better and keep working everyday in practice and doing the little things just to work our way to the top. We have nowhere to go but up from here. That’s our mindset.”

Sophomore forward Azia Washington was the second leading scorer, ending her night in double digits with 10 points.

By halftime, the Sycamores had an eight-point lead but by the second half, the Sycamores pulled away.

“The dynamic of the game just changed,” Washington said. “In the beginning we were positive and excited, it was just a different atmosphere.”

Washington said it was clear that the energy disappeared by the second half. The Salukis were not showing as much confidence as they were by the start of the game.

Fouls played a factor in SIU’s loss but the Sycamores were only able to connect on 13-27 attempts form the free-throw line. The Salukis shot the ball well from the charity stripe, finishing 10-14

The Salukis will have a week off until they face the University of Evansville at SIU Arena Sunday. The Purple Aces are 2-4 in conference and 7-10 overall.

“This is a good time for a week off for us,” Stein said. “It allows us to regroup for a little bit and we could possibly add some stuff we need to do.”

Symone Woolridge can be reached at [email protected] on twitter @swoolridge_DE or ext. 536-3311 ext. 269