Kayla Cooper achieved a career-high of 21 points for the Southern Illinois University women’s basketball team in their game against Illinois State. Despite her efforts, the Salukis were defeated 78-60 on Friday night. The team now holds an overall record of 3-15 and a conference record of 1-8.
The Salukis struggled with turnovers, committing 22 compared to Illinois State’s 11. They shot 38% from the field, made 25% of their three-point attempts, and converted 69% of their free throws.
Cooper’s performance included making three out of six three-point shots. Gift Uchenna also contributed significantly with her twelfth double-double this season, scoring 12 points and grabbing 14 rebounds.
Illinois State led by five points at the end of the first quarter, with a score of 19-14. Southern Illinois managed a brief run but was hampered by seven turnovers and missed all five three-point attempts in the quarter.
In the second quarter, Illinois State extended their lead by outscoring Southern Illinois 25-13. Addison Martin played a key role for the Redbirds with 12 points in that period and finished the first half with a total of 20 points.
Southern Illinois improved slightly in the third quarter, outscoring Illinois State by two points due to better three-point shooting accuracy. However, they still trailed at halftime with a scoreline showing them behind by seventeen points.
The final quarter saw both teams scoring under twenty points each, leading to an eventual victory for Illinois State by eighteen points.
Alice Curman and Tyranny Brown supported Cooper’s efforts with eight points each while Tkiyah Nelson added six more for Southern Illinois in this loss.
The Salukis aim to break their four-game losing streak as they prepare to face Bradley on Sunday in Peoria, Ill., at 2 p.m.
