TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Southern Illinois shot nearly 50 percent from the field and the 3-point line as it powered its way past the Indiana State women's basketball team, 76-58, on Sunday afternoon. Indiana State is now 16-8 overall on the 2014-15 season and 6-7 in Missouri Valley Conference action.

The Salukis' win marks the first victory inside Hulman Center since 1999 and first conference sweep of the Sycamores since 1996. They were helped by a 48.1 percent clip from the field on the afternoon and a 61.5 percent mark from 3-point range.

Redshirt junior Cierra Ceazer led with a game-high 16 points including an 8-for-8 percentage from the free throw line. Senior forward Racheal Mahan contributed 13 points and three rebounds as Indiana State shot just 32.2 percent from the floor on the afternoon.

Senior forward Chelsea Small finished the game with her third-straight double figure scoring effort, with 12 points on 5-for-7 shooting and adding a team-high six rebounds.

Senior forward Jasmine Grier also notched double figures with 10 points, three rebounds, two steals and two assists.

Southern Illinois (15-9, 8-5 MVC) stormed out to a 10-2 lead three minutes into the contest as the Sycamores' offense shot just 21.4 percent at the under 12 minute media timeout.

Also nixing some of the Sycamores defensive mojo, senior guard Travecia Franklin picked up her third foul with 12:17 remaining in the first half.

The Salukis led by as many as 12 in the opening period, but Ceazer's drive in the lane cut it down to seven with 5:56 to play before the break. 

SIU took a 31-23 halftime lead after shooting 44.4 in the first half and holding Indiana State to a 28.1 percent shooting.

Chelsea Small with a hustle play led to a steal, as she tallied three on the afternoon, and layup with 14:20 in the game, forcing a SIU timeout which cut the lead down to six.

Franklin picked up her fourth foul shortly after sending SIU to the line to convert two free throws.

Small hit a three pointer to cut the deficit back down to six, 46-40, but Southern responded with five straight points to extend its lead back to double digits.

It continued to be all SIU from there as the Sycamore compiled just six points in the final 4:56 of the ballgame.

Indiana State will gear up for its final two game conference road swing of the season as it heads to Northern Iowa and Drake on Feb. 20 and 22.

For the latest information on the Sycamore Women's Basketball team, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.