Banterra Center | Southern Illinois University Athletics
Banterra Center | Southern Illinois University Athletics
The Southern Illinois University (SIU) women's basketball team is preparing for its final two road games of the regular season. The Salukis, with a record of 4-21 overall and 2-14 in conference play, will face Belmont on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and Murray State on Saturday at 2 p.m.
Both games will be available on ESPN+. Dr. Rich Tiner will provide the play-by-play commentary alongside analyst Ellie Harmeyer Strutz for Thursday's game in Nashville. Larry Larson will cover the radio broadcast on NewsRadio WJPF 107.9 FM.
Southern Illinois has shown strength in rebounding, averaging 37.2 rebounds per game, which is their best since the 2018-19 season. They are second in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) in offensive rebounding with an average of 13.1 per game and lead the conference in blocks-per-game at 3.84.
Key players include Gift Uchenna, who is averaging a program-record of 13.2 rebounds per game and ranks second nationally in both total rebounds and offensive rebounding with an average of 5.2 per game. Kayla Cooper recently led the team with 14 points against UNI, while Isabella Palmqvist has made significant contributions from beyond the arc as a freshman starter.
Belmont aims to end a four-game losing streak against SIU this week, currently sitting fifth in the Valley standings with an overall record of 16-11 and a conference record of 11-5.
Murray State stands at second place in the Valley with an overall record of 18-7 and has won three consecutive games leading up to their match against SIU.
Historically, SIU has not fared well against Belmont, holding an all-time series record of 0-7 since their first meeting in 2002. Against Murray State, however, they hold a better historical record at 41-9 despite recent losses.
For updates on SIU women's basketball, fans can follow them on social media platforms such as Twitter (@SIU_WBasketball), Instagram (@SIU_WBasketball), Facebook (Facebook.com/SalukiAthletics), or through the "Salukis" Mobile App available on both App Store and Google Play Store.
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