CARBONDALE, Ill. – The Southern Illinois University women’s basketball squad (2-10 overall, 0-3 conference) is set to travel to Missouri State on Sunday to compete against the Lady Bears at 2 p.m.
HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN
QUICK HITS
- The Salukis are 0-3 at the start of conference play following losses at Valparaiso, as well as home defeats against Murray State and Belmont.
- Currently, in league action, SIU averages 62.0 points per game while surrendering 80.3.
- In terms of scoring defense, the Salukis are ranked 10th in the Missouri Valley Conference, allowing 73.0 points per game. Offensively, SIU is placed 12th, averaging 59.9 points per game.
- Southern ranks fifth in the MVC for rebounding (36.8). In offensive rebounding, SIU stands first at 13.4, which is also 79th in the nation.
- SIU is positioned sixth in the conference in blocks per game (3.08). The Salukis recorded one block against Belmont, marking the first instance this season they had fewer than two blocks in a match.
- Across the MVC, Southern is 12th in field-goal percentage (.359), 10th in three-point percentage (.295), and ninth in free throw percentage (.687).
- The Valley ranking has SIU 11th with a 0-3 MVC record and a 2-10 overall record. Southern is ahead of Indiana State, which stands at 2-12 overall.
- Drake is currently leading with a 3-0 MVC record and 9-5 overall. The only other Valley team still unbeaten in conference play is Northern Iowa, maintaining a 3-0 record in the Valley and 8-6 overall.
LEADING THE SALUKIS
- Gift Uchenna is the top scorer for the team with an average of 15.3 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game across 12 contests. Uchenna stands 12th in the Valley in scoring, is first in rebounding, and ranks third in blocks, being the only MVC player averaging a double-double. The junior is second in the nation for rebounding and leads the country in offensive rebounds per game (5.9). Uchenna is also tied for 11th in the NCAA for double-doubles with a total of eight and has achieved five in a consecutive manner.
- Kayla Cooper has recorded double-digit points in four of her last five outings after achieving only one such performance in her first six games this season. Cooper’s 19 points against Murray State on Jan. 2 marked a career high, while her five steals on Dec. 29 at Valpo also exemplified a career-best. Cooper has tallied multiple steals in six games and is ranked seventh in the league in steals per game (2.1).
- Se’Quoia Allmond averages 8.1 points per game, ranking third on the team. Allmond has been a starter in four consecutive matches for SIU after beginning her first five games off the bench. In those four starts, the senior has averaged 10.3 points, 2.5 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 16-of-28 (57%) from the field.
- Isabella Palmqvist has come off the bench for three successive games after starting the preceding eight. In SIU’s latest matchup, the freshman converted 1-of-2 from beyond the arc, marking her 15th three-pointer of the season, which ties for the team lead with Cooper. Palmqvist has successfully made a three-pointer in nine of 12 games played this season.
- Tkiyah Nelson achieved another steal against Belmont, marking her fourth consecutive game with a takeaway and her 10th overall. Nelson also netted 11 points in the match, reaching this career-high for the third time this season. The sophomore’s 11 points are the highest she has scored in her last six games.
- Tyranny Brown’s averages 6.0 points per game, ranking sixth on the team, and her .789 free throw percentage ties for the team lead. Brown has scored in double figures in three games but has been limited to fewer than ten points in the last six games.
- Jeniah Thompson played a season-high of 25 minutes against Belmont. In her last outing, Thompson also had her highest points (10), steals (three), and made free throws (four) as a Saluki.
LOOKING AT MISSOURI STATE
- No other squad in the Missouri Valley has more total victories than the Lady Bears, boasting a 10-4 overall record and 2-1 in conference competition. Heading into Sunday’s contest, Missouri State ranks third in the MVC.
- Missouri State stands fifth in the MVC for scoring offense (71.7) and third in scoring defense (65.2).
- On their home court, the Lady Bears are undefeated at 6-0 this season, having defeated both Belmont, 57-55, and Murray State, 85-78, in Springfield last week.
- Lacy Stokes leads the team with an average of 13.5 points per game, while three other Lady Bears are also scoring in double figures: Kyran Daniels (11.1), Sarah Linthacum (10.6), and Kaemyn Bekemeier (10.2).
SERIES HISTORY
- Southern Illinois holds a record of 31-63 against Missouri State, and Sunday’s match will mark the 95th encounter.
- The Lady Bears have claimed victory in five consecutive matches against the Salukis, with SIU’s last triumph over the Lady Bears occurring on Feb. 4, 2022.
FOLLOW THE SALUKIS
Stay updated with all the latest news and information regarding the Salukis by following the team on Twitter at @SIU_WBasketball, on Instagram at @SIU_WBasketball, and on Facebook at Facebook.com/SalukiAthletics. Fans can also download the “Salukis” Mobile App available on the App Store or Google Play Store.