NORMAL – The Salukis (8-7, MVC 1-3), fell in tonight’s matchup against the Illinois State Redbirds (10-6, MVC 3-2),  60-52.

This is SIU’s third straight conference loss after being defeated in their previous two games against Indiana State and Missouri State. The Redbirds entered tonight’s game on a win against Evansville on Jan. 13.

The teams met for the 111th time in a Missouri Valley historic rivalry, dating back to 1962.

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Despite Illinois State’s lead over Southern in the series, 61-49, the Dawgs have won five of the last six meetings between the teams. This includes last season’s sweep of the Redbirds.

The Salukis kicked off the first quarter going on a 3-1 scoring run where teh team saw individual buckets from sophomore guard Makenzie Silvey, sophomore forward Abby Brockmeyer and junior forward Nicole Martin.

Brockmeyer notched a double-double in tonight’s game with ten points and 11 rebounds, but later fouled out of the game.

The Redbirds responded to the run by scoring four unanswered baskets to take a 9-7 lead over the Dawgs. Just moments later, Silvey tied the score for the first time tonight, draining a two point basket in the paint.

The last word in the first period went to the Redbirds as their junior guard Tete Maggett scored a three point basket with seven seconds on the clock, bringing the score to 12-9 at the end of the quarter. Magett was one of ISU’s leading scorers tonight with 12 points.

Illinois State kept their three point momentum entering the second quarter draining another one in the first two minutes of the period. Saluki freshman guard Caitlin Link responded with a three pointer of her own to make the score 12-15 with Southern trailing by three.

Two pairs of Redbird free throws and a fast break layup went unanswered by SIU and allowed Illinois State to take a comfortable 21-12 lead.

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The Dawgs fought to catch up – a layup from senior center Celina VanHyfte and a three pointer from Silvey helped them to get within four points of ISU.

With every Southern score, the Redbirds seemed to respond with baskets of their own. While Saluki junior guard Kristen Nelson scored the final basket of the half, SIU still trailed 21-24.

The Dawgs came out of the locker room with a fire at the half scoring three straight baskets to take a 28-24 lead for the first time since the first period.

Two of the three SIU buckets were scored by Silvey on two back-to-back fast break layups. Silvey went on to be tonight’s leading scorer with 13 points.

ISU drained a three point basket in attempts to catch Southern, but the Salukis continued to thrive in their momentum scoring three more baskets to keep the Redbirds within four.

The Birds could not be put down as they scored a quick three pointer, followed by a layup to snatch the lead from the Dawgs at 32-31.

Another three pointer by Link gave the Salukis a small lead, but it was short lived as a pair of free throws sent the game into another tie. Each of the teams scored two more baskets which led the score to tie again at 38-38.

The third period was ended on a three point basket by Southern’s junior guard Brittney Patrick, giving the Dawgs a 41-38 lead as time expired. Patrick finished the night with eight points.

We saw a back-and-forth battle in final period of tonight’s game, but this quarter began with two straight Redbird buckets gave them a one point advantage over the Salukis.

SIU regained the lead on a jumper from Patrick, but was short lived as ISU scored once again to take the lead just seconds later. The lead changed two more times amongst the teams within the next minute of the game, until a layup by Nelson tied the game up at 47-47.

As the quarter progressed we saw very small leads, several score changes and another tied game.

Two ISU layups and two pairs of free throws sent the Redbirds into a comfortable 58-50 lead over Southern with just under 40 seconds left in the game.

With time expiring, the Dawgs were only able to score one more basket for the rest of the game. SIU was forced to foul with 17 seconds left on the clock and Illinois State was able to add two more points to their final score as well.

The Salukis lost the game 60-52. You can catch the Dawgs on the road again this Sunday at 2 p.m. as they take on the Bradley Braves (MVC 2-3, 12-4).

Sports reporter Tamar Mosby can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @mosbytamar.

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