Final Stats

CARBONDALE, ILL. -- Siena Women's Basketball won the scoring battle in three of the four quarters, but it was a 30-6 third quarter by Southern Illinois that was the overwhelming difference as the Salukis defeated the Saints 73-54 in a Preseason WNIT consolation game at SIU Arena. Sophomore guard Kollyns Scarbrough led the Saints with a career-high 18 points.

With the loss, Siena (0-3) will face defending Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament Champion Alabama State in a second and final Preseason WNIT consolation game tomorrow at 5 p.m. ET (4 p.m. local time) at SIU Arena. The Hornets fell earlier Friday in Carbondale 74-64 to defending Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Champion Tennessee State. Saturday will mark the Saints' first-ever game against one of the 10 schools which currently comprise the SWAC.

In a matchup of two of the nation's four most improved teams from a year ago, Siena led by as many as eight points midway through the second quarter following the strength of a 16-7 run. The Saints controlled the glass in the opening half, pulling down 25 rebounds including 12 off the offensive glass. That resulted in 10 more first half shots for Siena, but they shot just 32.4% for the stanza in only being able to take a modest 30-27 lead at the break.

But Southern Illinois (1-1) came out gangbusters to open the second half. The Salukis shot 58.8% (10-17) and held a commanding 19-4 edge in rebounding in the third quarter alone. Meanwhile Siena missed all 13 of its third quarter shots as the Salukis rallied to take a 21-point lead into the final quarter and ultimately led by as many as 24 points.

Southern Illinois shot 53.6% overall for the second half and 46.2% for the game, while the Saints shot at just a 27.4% clip.

Freshman guard Jackie Benitez joined Scarbrough in double figures with 10 points off the Siena bench. Fellow reserve Emmanuella Edoka also provided a spark with five points and 10 boards, which included six offensive rebounds.

Southern Illinois' bench was solid too scoring 33 points, including half of the Salukis' 30-point third quarter output. Azia Washington scored 12 points in 16 minutes off the bench for a balanced Southern Illinois squad which placed four in double figures.