TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – A 30-5 run between the first and second quarters by Southern Illinois was too much for Sycamore women's basketball to overcome on Sunday afternoon, as Indiana State fell to the Salukis, 78-55, in front of 1,595 fans at the Hulman Center.
 
Del'Janae Williams had her best game for the Sycamores since Nov. 19 against Illinois-Chicago when she scored 23 points, putting up 18, including 4-5 from deep, to lead the ISU offensive effort against SIU. The freshman also contributed two rebounds and an assist.
 
Jamyra McChristine and Jasmine Elder both added nine points of their own on the offensive end, while CeCe Mayo pulled down four rebounds to lead the Trees.
 
Indiana State had one of their better shooting performances of the season, connecting on 6-11 (54.5%) triples and finishing 13-17 (76.5%) from the free throw line. From the floor, ISU shot 18-47 (38.3%) while SIU finished 30-52 (57.7%).
 
On the glass, the Salukis dominated the Sycamores, holding a 32-24 advantage. SIU also shared the bell well, tallying 26 assists to ISU's 10. Southern Illinois' efficiency down low played a key role in the game on Sunday, as SIU held a 42-22 advantage in the paint.
 
The Trees and Salukis battled out to an early 4-4 tie in the first quarter, thanks to two layups from Elder and McChristine, but Southern Illinois caught fire immediately after. The Salukis torched the net, going on a 30-5 from the 8:16 mark of the first quarter to the 5:50 mark of the second quarter, allowing them to open up a 34-9 lead. SIU would maintain control for the rest of the half, eventually taking a 46-21 lead into the break.
 
Despite the tough first half, the Sycamores did not show any quit in the second. Makenzie Silvey opened up with a three for SIU to push the lead to 28, but ISU answered back with an 8-2 run, capped off by a Williams corner three off of the feed from Pitzer with 6:24 remaining.
 
Southern Illinois managed to gain a 26-point lead once again with 4:22 left to play in the frame, but the Sycamores would continue to play an even quarter with the Salukis, winning the third quarter, 20-18, thanks to balanced play from Williams, McChristine and Mayo.
 
To start the final period, SIU once again punched the blue and white in the face to put the Sycamores into a 71-46 hole with 6:57 remaining. Williams refused to let her team go down without a fight, however, heating up to score eight points on 3-3 shooting, including 2-2 from deep, to lead the Sycamores. In the end, the Salukis walked away with a 78-55 victory. However, Indiana State managed to outscore SIU in the second half, 34-32.
 
The Sycamores now have a week to prepare for a Jan. 31 matchup with in-state rival, the Evansville Purple Aces.
 
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.