TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Visiting Southern Illinois jumped out to an early double-digit lead Wednesday evening and Indiana State was never able to recover, as the Salukis downed the Sycamores 79-55 inside the Hulman Center.
 
Anna McKendree led the way for the Sycamores with 18 points and seven rebounds, and was the lone Indiana State player to score in double-figures. Del'Janae Williams scored eight, while Mya Glanton and Caitlin Anderson added six points apiece.
 
SIU jumped out to a 15-3 lead at the first media timeout, and while the Sycamores were able to cut it to a four-point game after one quarter, the Salukis improved their shooting in each quarter to build an insurmountable lead. Indiana State trailed by as many as 30 late in the fourth quarter.
 
First Half
SIU quickly opened with a 10-0 run as the Sycamore couldn't get into a rhythm on the offensive end. McKendree caught fire with 11 points in the quarter, including a 3-pointer from the Indiana State logo at midcourt to beat the shot clock, to get the Sycamores within 18-14 after the opening period.
 
Natalia Lalic connected on a jumper early in the second quarter to cut into the deficit, but Indiana State couldn't get out of its own way in the opening stages of the quarter. SIU went on a 12-2 run to increase its lead back to double-digits, and while Arianna Smith hit a pair of late baskets, the Sycamores still trailed 36-22 at the half.
 
Second Half
Williams and Glanton cut into the Sycamore deficit early in the third with a pair of layups, but Southern Illinois had an answer for each ISU basket. Indiana State closed the gap to 11 after Williams sank a pair of free throws to make it 51-40, but the Salukis closed on a 5-0 run and led by 16 after three quarters.
 
Indiana State got early offensive contributions from Glanton and Marie Hunter in the fourth before a 17-4 SIU run sealed the game. Indiana State closed with six straight points, but the game was out of reach by that time.
 
Inside the Statistics

• Essy Latu had five points off the bench, her most in a Valley game this season.
• ISU limited the Valley's leading scorer, Makenzie Silvey, to nine points on 4-of-17 shooting.
• Anna McKendree's 18 points tied her season-high, which was previously set against Illinois State.

 
News & Notes

• Indiana State dropped below .500 for the first time in over a month.
• SIU's nine turnovers were a season-low for a Sycamore opponent.
• ISU has shot over 80 percent from the free throw line in three straight games after going 10-for-11 Wednesday.

 
Up Next
Indiana State plays its next two on the road, starting with a Saturday evening game at Evansville at 6 p.m.
 
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