Carbondale Reporter

The Southern Illinois University women's basketball team secured a decisive 74-38 victory over Central Methodist on Monday in Carbondale, Illinois. This win marked the Salukis' second triumph of the season, improving their record to 2-4.

Head coach Kelly Bond-White expressed satisfaction with her team's performance, stating, "I was proud of our young ladies. I think the biggest thing when I look at the game and look at the stats is 21 assists on 29 baskets. I think that was the brightest spot from an execution standpoint."

The Salukis' 21 assists were a season-high and matched their previous best from February 15, 2024, against Evansville. Additionally, they forced Central Methodist into committing 31 turnovers, a feat not achieved since November 12, 2007.

Gift Uchenna led Southern Illinois with an impressive performance, contributing 23 points, 15 rebounds, three blocks, and two steals. Tkiyah Nelson recorded her first career double-double with 11 points and ten rebounds while also adding five assists and four steals.

Southern Illinois took control early in the game with a strong defensive effort in the first quarter, limiting Central Methodist to just nine points. The Salukis extended their lead by halftime to a comfortable margin of 37-17.

In the third quarter, SIU continued to dominate by outscoring their opponents 21-6. Senior Tyranny Brown played a key role during this period by scoring eight points.

The final quarter saw Southern Illinois maintain their advantage as they outscored Central Methodist by one point to secure the victory. Four players from SIU scored in double figures: Uchenna with 23 points, Nelson with 11 points, and both Brown and Alice Curman adding ten each.

Looking ahead, Southern Illinois will travel to North Texas for their next game scheduled for Saturday, December 7th at 2 p.m.

Fans can stay updated on Saluki women's basketball through social media platforms including Twitter (@SIU_WBasketball), Instagram (@SIU_WBasketball), Facebook (Facebook.com/SalukiAthletics), or via the "Salukis" Mobile App available on both App Store and Google Play Store.