SUN BELT WOMEN : ASU women can’t overcome slow start
Posted on Thursday, November 20, 2008
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Down by 19 with 12 minutes to play, the Arkansas State women (2-1 ) rallied to within 76-74 with 47 seconds remaining, but Southern Illinois (2-0 ) held on for a 79-76 victory Wednesday night at SIU Arena in the first-ever meeting between the schools.
Junior Veronica Smith, sophomore Shay Scott and freshman Shania Hurst all scored 13 points to lead Arkansas State and junior Ebonie Jefferson added 12.
But the Salukis got 26 points and 11 rebounds from sophomore forward Katrina Swingler, who hit 8 of 12 shots from the floor and 10 of 10 free-throw attempts.
Southern Illinois out-rebounded Arkansas State 41-39, including a 25-14 advantage in the first half to help the Salukis go up 47-29 at halftime.
“We didn’t play very well in the first half on both ends of the court,” Arkansas State Coach Brian Boyer said. “Offensively, we had too many turnovers. Defensively, we gave up 47 points [in the first half ], and I can’t remember the last time we did that.
“ The second half was very good with great energy, and the execution was good enough to win the game. We gave ourselves more than enough of a chance in the second half. But in the end, we kind of got what we deserved because of the way we played in the first half.”
After turning the ball over 13 times in the first half, ASU committed just four turnovers in the second half as the Red Wolves began to chip away at the Salukis lead.
A three-pointer by Hurst with 6: 30 to play cut the Salukis’ lead to 67-58. Arkansas State pulling within 76-72 on another threepointer by Hurst with 1: 20 remaining.
Following a steal by Arkansas State junior Lyndsay Schlup, Jefferson scored on a put-back with 47 seconds to play to cut the margin to 76-74. But Southern Illinois freshman Olivia Lett banked in a shot with the shot clock winding down to give the Salukis a 78-74 lead with 19 seconds left.
Smith led the Red Wolves with 10 rebounds, and Jefferson added a career-high six steals.
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