Southern Illinois University
3-3
Murray State
2-5
SIU cruises to 70-57 win over Murray State
12/02/2015 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
By: Will Becque
SIUSalukis.com
MURRAY, Ky. - The Southern Illinois University women's basketball team used a 9-0 third quarter run to overcome a three-point halftime deficit as the Salukis cruised to a 70-57 non-conference win over the Murray State Racers at the CSFB Center.
In the 42nd meeting between the two programs, the Salukis (3-3) improved to 37-5 all-time against the Racers behind the efforts of two redshirt seniors- Dyana Pierre and Cartaesha Macklin. Both scored in double figures, as Pierre finished with 21 points and nine rebounds, while Macklin added a season-high 24 points on 8-of-12 shooting.
Macklin scored 17 of her 24 in the second half, and added seven assists and four rebounds. She was also 3-of-4 from the charity stripe, and with those three made free throws, broke Molly McDowell's school record for free throws made in a career with 368.
"I thought this was one of (Macklin's) best games that I've seen in a long time," said head coach Cindy Stein. "She made great decisions on the floor, especially shooting-wise. She did a really nice job defensively and she did it without getting into foul trouble."
The redshirt senior from Mayo, Fla. continued to moved up the school's all-time scoring list, passing D.D. Plab for fifth-place with 1,387 points.
"Coach talked about the x-factor being confidence, and I just wanted to go out, be relaxed, play free and make good decisions and take good shots," said Macklin.
The Racers (2-5) were led by Ke'Shunan James, who finished with 19 points and seven rebounds while Jashae Lee chipped in 15 points.
The Salukis began the game by shooting 4-of-5 from behind the arc, capped off by a three from Carlie Corrigan that gave SIU a 12-8 lead with 4:21 remaining in the first quarter. SIU's shots stopped falling, as the Salukis missed their next 10 attempts and the Racers closed the quarter on a 7-1 run, clinging to a 15-13 lead at the end of the first.
Southern struggles continued in the second quarter, as they shot 28% but trailed by just three (29-26) at the half.
SIU came out of the locker room at the half and opened the third quarter on a 9-0 run, outscoring Murray State, 28-10 to take a lead it never relinquished.
"I really thought that we didn't have a lot of energy in the first half," said Stein. "I felt like we came out with a lot more energy in the second half. I thought there were moments that we played like I expected us to play all year. So I'm really proud of our second half and our kids, I thought, played really well together. 19 assists and only 10 turnovers- that's the kind of game we want."
The +9 assist to turnover ratio was the highest for the Salukis since they posted a +15 in a 81-76 win over Drake University on February 6, 2015.
Southern is back in action on Friday, December 4 when they host SIUE at noon. The game marks the annual Field Trip Day for area schools, who have been invited to come cheer on the Salukis free of charge and participate in educational activities throughout the contest.
