Creighton University
Southern Illinois
Women's Basketball Falls 75-74 at SIU in Overtime
1/20/2008 5:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
CARBONDALE, Ill. ? Kelsey Woodard scored nine of her career-high 25 points in overtime, but a late Southern Illinois shot gave the Salukis a 75-74 win over the Bluejays Sunday afternoon at SIU Arena. SIU's Jayme Sweere nailed a jumper with 10.2 seconds remaining in overtime to give the Salukis (7-9, 3-3 MVC) the one-point victory. Kristina Voss added career-highs with 21 points and 13 rebounds for her first career double-double in the loss.
After the teams exchanged buckets to start overtime, SIU ripped back-to-back steals and scored the next six points to go up 71-65. The Salukis held that lead until Woodard helped the Jays climb back in the game. The freshman scored CU's final nine points, including seven straight to turn a 73-67 deficit with inside of two minutes to play into a 74-73 lead with inside 30 seconds to play.
SIU's Erica Smith missed the Salukis' first game-winning attempt, but the Salukis got another attempt on an inbounds play and found their senior leader, Sweere, for the game-winning shot. Sweere, who was 2-for-12 in regulation, went 3-for-3 in overtime.
Creighton (9-7, 2-3 MVC) led by as many as four and trailed by as many as nine points in a sloppy first half. The Jays and Salukis went into the half tied at 29, as the Bluejays closed the half on a 14-5 run after falling behind by nine. CU turned the ball over 11 times in the opening half, leading to 17 SIU points, while both teams shot below 34 percent in the opening frame.
The Jays and Salukis clicked on offense in the second half, with both teams shooting better and CU taking better care of the ball. Creighton led by as many as five in the second half, as there were eight ties and three lead changes in the second half.
Overtime was set up by Woodard as well, as the rookie guard scored CU's final four points in regulation. But twice her jump shots in the final 90 seconds were answered with shots by SIU freshman Cortney Sales to even the game. Ally Thrall had a game-winning attempt at the end of regulation go off the side of the backboard.
The Bluejays dominated SIU in rebounding 51-40, led by Voss' career-high 13 boards. CU's turnovers again did them in, as the Jays committed 18 turnovers which led to 24 SIU points. The Jays were also unable to force many turnovers, as SIU had just five give-aways and the Jays had just one steal in the game.
Woodard and Voss became the fist CU duo to score 20 points in the same game since Ally Thrall and Kristi Woodard did so against
Six Salukis scored in double figures, led by Erin Pauk's 17. Sweere, Smith and Ellen Young each had 11, while Sales and Katrina Swingler added 10 apiece.
The Bluejays finished 13-for-14 at the free-throw line, while SIU went just 11-for-22 at the stripe. Voss made each of her five attempts at the line, while Woodard was perfect on her four attempts.
CU has dropped three straight MVC games after opening the conference schedule with back-to-back wins. The Jays will look to return to their winning ways when
