CARBONDALE, Ill. – Missouri State women’s basketball fell to 15-5 (6-3 MVC) on the season following a 65-49 loss at Southern Illinois (12-6, 7-1 MVC) here on Friday night.
The Lady Bears had a new look in the starting lineup as Ifunanya Nwachukwu drew her first career start for MSU. Nwachukwu made an immediate impact, as she hit a layup on the Lady Bears’ first possession of the game.
After an SIU three-pointer to open the scoring for the Salukis, fifth-year senior Abi Jackson converted the and-1 opportunity after drawing the foul on a layup to give the Lady Bears an early 5-3 lead. The MSU post players continued to score early, including transfer Jennifer Ezeh, who made her collegiate debut and scored her first bucket at the 4:23 mark to extend the Lady Bear lead.
Brice Calip hit her first basket and three-pointer of the night to give the Lady Bears a five-point lead, but the Salukis answered with a 5-0 run to end the quarter and tie the game at 12 points after one period.
SIU scored a quick four points to open the second quarter to take a four-point lead, before Calip scored three consecutive baskets for the Lady Bears to give MSU back the lead, 20-17. The Salukis then rattled off seven straight points to go up 24-20 on the Lady Bears.
After swapping three-point buckets, a Paige Rocca layup put MSU back within two as the teams headed into the locker room. Calip led the way for the Lady Bears at the half with 11 points and was 3-for-4 from behind the arc in the opening 20 minutes.
After trailing by two going into the break, the Lady Bears came out firing in the second half as they went on a 5-0 run out of the gate to take a 30-27 lead. However, the Salukis had an immediate answer with a 9-0 run to stretch the Salukis lead to six points.
After both teams were held scoreless for nearly two minutes, Calip and Sydney Wilson went back-to-back for the Lady Bears to cut the deficit to one point. Southern Illinois was then able to extend their lead back to six points before Jackson scored twice to cut the lead back down to three.
The Salukis took advantage of a couple of trips to the charity stripe, as they extended their lead back to six. As time expired in the third period, senior Mya Bhinhar hit a three-pointer to cut the deficit to 46-43 with 10 minutes remaining in Carbondale.
Jackson opened the scoring for MSU in the final period with a free throw, but the Salukis were also able to get to the line as they took a six-point lead after connecting on four free throw attempts. Calip answered with a jumper to keep the game within five points and to keep the Lady Bears within striking distance.
However, the Salukis once again had an answer as they went on a 13-0 run beginning at the 6:16 mark in the fourth quarter to take a game-high 17-point lead. Rocca ended the Lady Bear scoring drought with a three-pointer, her second of the game, but it wasn’t enough for Missouri State here on Friday night.
Calip led the way for MSU with 16 points and six rebounds. Jackson joined Calip in double figures with 10 points and five rebounds, along with three blocks.
Missouri State will return home to face Southern Illinois again on Sunday, Feb. 6 at JQH Arena. First tip is set for 5 p.m.
