Box Score (PDF)
CARBONDALE, Ill. – The Illinois State women's basketball team produced its second-highest shooting percentage of the season (44.7 percent, 21-of-47), but the Redbirds turned the ball over 19 times, made 1-of-12 from three-point range and allowed 15 offensive rebounds in a 57-48 loss to Southern Illinois Friday evening in Missouri Valley Conference action inside SIU Arena.
Illinois State (7-20, 4-12 MVC) played well defensively, limiting the Salukis (13-13, 7-8 MVC) to 35.7 percent (20-of-56), including 30.8 percent (8-of-26) after halftime. However, SIU knocked down 4-of-11 from distance, which proved to be one of the biggest differences in the contest. The Redbirds also forced 16 turnovers.
But when Illinois State forced a stop, the Redbirds had a tough time corralling the carom, giving the Salukis new life. SIU took advantage and ultimately won the rebounding battle, 37-28, and 15-6 on the offensive glass.
The Salukis started the contest with a 12-5 advantage, before junior Hannah Green started an 8-0 spurt with a pair of jumpers. Senior Taylor Stewart knocked down a jumper to cap the run while giving Illinois State its only lead of the game, 13-12, with 24 ticks left in the opening quarter.
SIU then ended the frame with a triple at the buzzer to take a 15-13 advantage heading into the second quarter. The bucket started a string of eight unanswered points for the Salukis, which turned into a 20-5 flurry. SIU eventually led 32-20 at the half.
The Redbirds needed a quick start to the third quarter but allowed five-straight points, as the Salukis took their largest lead of the game, 37-20. But four different Redbirds scored in the squad's second 8-0 run of the game, moving the visitors back to within 11.
Later in the period, sophomore Viria Livingston sailed coast-to-coast for a layup, which capped a 12-2 run and navigated Illinois State to within seven at 39-32 with 1:33 left in the frame. The Redbirds would trail by eight entering the fourth quarter.
Illinois State needed to keep its momentum at the start of the final 10 minutes, but like the third quarter, SIU started fast, with six straight points, which burred the Redbirds in a hole too deep to crawl out of.
A third 8-0 flurry from Illinois State gave the Redbirds life when sophomore Katrina Beck completed an old-fashion three-point play with 3:23 remaining, which cut the deficit to 51-44. Illinois State, though, could not move any closer, as SIU held on for the nine-point victory.
The visitors shot 52.2 percent (12-of-23) in the second half but could not take advantage.
Senior Brechelle Beachum scored 13 points on 6-of-11 shooting, grabbed four rebounds and tallied a game-high four steals, while Green added 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting off the bench to go along with four boards. Livingston grabbed a team-high six caroms and chipped in seven points.
"We shot the ball well but we threw away 19 more opportunities," head coach Barb Smith said. "Defensively, I thought we did some good things. Overall, we gave up too many rebounds and turned the ball over too many times.
"It was nice to see Hannah (Green) hit some shots and come out more aggressive on offensive. But we did not get production from our other bigs. We have to score with more than just two people."
Kylie Giebelhausen led the Salukis with 18 points and five rebounds, while Rishonda Napier added 13 points and four steals.
The Redbirds return to action Sunday, Feb. 26, when they take on Evansville at 1 p.m. inside the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana.
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