Sports Zone Dec. 9, 2023: SIU women’s basketball rallies to beat SLU for fourth win in last five games

CARBONDALE, Ill. (KBSI) – The Southern Illinois University women’s basketball team came into Saturday’s game against Saint Louis having won three out of its last four games and looked to avenge a 28-point loss to these same Billikens a year ago.

The Salukis jumped out to an early lead, but they found themselves trailing 56-49 late in the third quarter, and then Maddy Saracco, who had just entered the game about 10 seconds prior, drilled a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to four.

This shot would spark a 10-0 run from the Salukis, capped off by a Laniah Randle lay-up that gave the Salukis a 3-point lead, but that would not be the last run the Salukis would have to go on to claw their way to victory.

SLU took a 60-59 lead with 7:15 to go, but the Salukis rattled off eight straight points to take a 67-60 lead. SLU would not get closer than 67-65 the rest of the game, and the Salukis pulled away to a 75-67 win.

Jaidynn Mason led the Salukis with 26 points. The Salukis outrebounded SLU, 46-30, and held the Billikens to 11 points in the fourth quarter.

“Adversity came, and you’ve seen this in earlier games this year and last, you know, it gets a little tight, and we fold sometimes, and I just think that’s the maturation process of not just our players, but our coaching staff, as well,” Salukis head coach Kelly Bond-White said. “So, it is gritty, and I will take it however we get it, but I’m so proud of our young ladies because you guys are getting to see them grow and stick together.” 

SIU will have about a week off before they travel to Stillwater to take on Oklahoma State on Dec. 17.