Eagles fall behind early, drop game at SIU

CARBONDALE, Ill.— A quick and aggressive start by Southern Illinois left the Morehead State women's basketball team playing catch-up all afternoon, and the Eagles fell on the road at SIU Arena Saturday, 102-69.
 
MSU (4-6) finished its five-game road stretch with a 1-4 record, while SIU (5-4) has now won three of its last four contests.
 
"We didn't come out and play very well, but give credit to SIU. They were ready and we weren't," said Head Coach Greg Todd. "We have a great group, and I have to do a better job of getting them ready. We did win two of the four quarters and kept fighting the rest of the game."
 
The first quarter set the tone, as SIU shot better than 55 percent from the floor, while the Eagles shot less than 20 percent. A 15-4 Saluki run, lasting over the final three minutes of the quarter, left the Eagles trailing 30-11 going into the second quarter. The Eagles did outscore the hosts 21-20 in the second and 20-14 in the fourth.
 
Off the bench, junior guard Kay Kay Tate provided a spark, scoring 10 of her 13 points in the first half. Sophomore guard Eriel McKee led the team with 14 points and collected five rebounds. The only other Eagle to score in double digits was Shay Steele with 12.
 
The Salukis shot better than 47 percent for the game, and out-rebounded the Eagles 63-45.  Freshman guard Miranda Crockett collected an MSU-best 11 rebounds. SIU capitalized in the paint, outscoring MSU 52-34 between the blocks. SIU was led by junior guard Rishonda Napier, who shot 6-of-10 from three-point range, and finished with a game-high 22 points. With the Eagles working to create a rally after the half, Napier hit a trio of threes to start the third quarter, extending the SIU lead.
 
MSU will be back in action for the first time at Johnson Arena since Nov. 23, when they take on USC Upstate Monday at noon for Education Day. The Eagles are expected to welcome more than 1,400 regional students and more are welcome. If your school is interested, contact MSU Athletics Marketing Director Victoria Cable at (606) 783-2387 or email v.cable@moreheadstate.edu.