March 4, 2006

Box Score

By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. - Erin Pauk's running layup off the glass with two seconds left in overtime gave Southern Illinois University (10-17, 6-12) a thrilling 59-58 win over Illinois State (12-15, 7-11) earlier today the Missouri Valley Conference finale at SIU Arena.

With the win, SIU locked up the eighth-seed for next week's State Farm MVC Tournament (Mar. 9-12) in Springfield, Mo. The Dawgs play ninth-seeded Creighton (7-20, 5-13) in the first round Thursday -- the time of that game is to be announced.

Although CU ended its season in a two-way tie with Bradley in ninth, the Bluejays win the tiebreaker after sweeping Northern Iowa.

"It was a game of highs and lows and we hit our low for probably a good 10-minute stretch in the second half," said Saluki head coach Dana Eikenberg. "But, I thought Carlai Moore's leadership and Pauk's confidence is what helped us pull this one out."

SIU led by 20 (38-18) with 14:55 left in the game, but Holly Hallstrom scored 16 points during a 21-3 Redbird run, which cut the lead to 41-39 heading into the final four minutes.

"I credit Illinois State for going right at our weakness and I credit our kids for digging down, playing a little harder and not letting this one slip away," Eikenberg added.

After Megan McCracken's three-pointer gave ISU a 42-41 lead at the 2:54 mark, SIU scored the next seven points to regain a 48-42 advantage on Moore's free throws with 13 seconds left.

McCracken's second three with seven ticks on the clock sent SIU to a timeout with a 48-45 edge, but the Salukis couldn't get the ball in-bounds on their next possession.

Following SIU's five-second violation, Kristi Cirone buried a three-pointer from the left elbow with six-tenths of a second left to send the game into overtime.

Another huge McCracken three-ball found the bottom of the net to give ISU a 58-57 lead with 14 seconds, but Pauk answered with a layup to end the flair for the dramatic.

"Erin took charge of the play we drew up in our timeout. She kept the ball in her hands instead of looking to make the pass," said Eikenberg. "She has the green light and she was confident she could execute."

SIU, who ends its regular season with 10 wins for the first time since 1997-98, was led by Moore's double-double 22 points and 14 rebounds. For Moore, the double-double was her second this season.

Jayme Sweere followed with 16 points off the bench, while Pauk finished with six.

"We've been in a lot of close games this year, and finally, we just pulled together and stepped up," commented Pauk. "We stuck to our game plan and didn't fold."

Both SIU (38.1) and ISU (38.3) shot under 40 percent on the day.

The Redbirds, who trailed at intermission (28-17) after shooting 24 percent (6-of-25) in the first half, went scoreless for the first 4:06 of the second half before erasing the Dawgs' 20-point lead.

Hallstrom, like Moore, also had a double-double to top the 'Birds. She turned in 27 points and 14 rebounds.

Cirone (10) and McCracken (11) also pitched in double figures.

SIU's lone senior, Amy Hayden, was honored prior to the game.

Hayden, who played two years under Lori Opp and two under Eikenberg, says it's good to go out a winner at home.

"It's a great feeling and I'm proud of my teammates," said Hayden. "We haven't ended a season with a win at home in a long time."

As a matter of fact, the last time SIU ended its regular-season with a win at home was in 2000-01. That year, the Dawgs beat Evansville, 82-77, on March 3.