Despite turning the ball over 14 times in the first half, the Sycamore women's basketball team turned up the intensity in the second half to pull away from Southern Illinois en route to a 73-57 win in the first round of the MVC tournament.
"I am really proud of the way we played tonight," assistant coach Clint Weddle said.
The Salukis got things started for the Sycamores with a bucket from guard Stephany Neptune.
Senior guard Kelsey Luna then responded with a layup of her own. She then connected on her first 3-pointer of the game to give the Sycamores a 5-4 lead.
The Salukis then grabbed the lead back with Neptune's second bucket of the game.
The Sycamores trailed the Salukis for the majority of the first half thanks in part largely to turnovers. The Sycamores turned the ball over 14 times during the first stanza.
Just before halftime the Sycamores grabbed a 31-30 lead. The Salukis hit one of two free throws to tie the game at 31 at halftime.
The Sycamores shot 40 percent from the floor during the first half and connected on four 3-pointers.
The Sycamores came out of the locker room on fire and on a 17-4 run to open the half. During the run, the Sycamores shot an exceptional 85.7 percent from the field.
The Sycamores also cranked up their defensive effort, forcing the Salukis to shoot 0-12 from the field during the run.
The Salukis battled back though and cut the Sycamore lead to five with just under nine minutes left to play in regulation.
"I think it just shows a lot of resiliency," Luna said. "We realize that it's a game of runs and that is going to happen. They don't play division one basketball for no reason. We just needed to capitalize on our opportunities."
The Sycamores then pulled away to a 73-57 win over the Salukis and their first win in the MVC tourney in four years.
"I think [the team] is very pleased and they all have smiles on their faces, and I'm happy too," Weddle said. "They give us a lot of credit for what we said in the locker room, but we don't deserve any of it. It was all the players and they deserve all the credit."
During the second half the Sycamore defense held the Salukis to only 17 percent from the floor and to only 23 percent for the game.
They Sycamores put four scorers in double figures led by Luna with 22 points, five rebounds and six assists.
Sophomore center Shannon Thomas earned her eighth career double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Also in double figures for the Sycamores was sophomore guard Brittany Schoen and sophomore guard Deja Mattox.
The Sycamores will next play the No. 1 seeded Redbirds of Illinois State. Tipoff is set for Noon CDT Friday at the Family Arena in St. Charles, MO.
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