Southern Illinois News

Salukis back after long break to take on the Billikens

The Salukis will play their first game in 14 days on Wednesday when they head to Saint Louis University to take on the Billikens. 

Southern and SLU will hit the court at 4 p.m. as the Salukis haven't played since their 100-72 win over Tennessee State on Dec. 7. 

SIU is 3-5 on the year and winners of two of its last three, including hitting the century mark in the Southern's last two games. 

In their last two victories, the Salukis have scored 215 points on 62 assists. Junior guard Quierra Love has dished out 20 assists in her last two games, including a career-high 12 assists in the Salukis win over the Tigers of Tennessee State. 

 All-Time vs. Saint Louis 

• Wednesday will be the 13th meeting between Southern and Saint Louis University. 
• The Salukis won the last matchup in 2019 — 61-53 in Saint Louis. 
•  The Billikens lead the all-time series 5-7. 
•  Saint Louis won the first matchup, 52- 44 on Dec. 1, 2009. 

Last time out 

•  Southern hit the century mark in back-to-back games for the first time in program history when it took down Tennessee State 100-72 in the annual Field Trip Day game. 
•  SIU broke the program record for assists in a game with 33. The Salukis have 62 assists in their last two games. 
•  Quierra Love had a double-double with 11 points and 12 assists as six Salukis finished in double figures. 
•  Ashley Jones (16 points), Laniah Randle (16 points), Promise Taylor (16 points), Jaidynn Mason (15 points), Tamara Nard (11 points) and Love (11 points) all finished in double digits for Southern. 
•  SIU went 41-of-65 (63.1%) from the field and knocked down five 3-pointers. The Salukis were 13-of-17 from the free-throw line.

Scouting Saint Louis 

• The Billikens are 3-11 on the year and have lost three-straight games. 
•  Memphis is the only common opponent SLU has played so far but the Billikens have played an MVC-heavy non-conference slate. 
•  Saint Louis has taken on Illinois State (W, 75-65), Belmont (L, 78-68), Missouri State (L, 71-55), Northern Iowa (L, 84-64) and Indiana State (L, 64-62) this season. 
• Kyla KcMakin (17.2 ppg) leads the Billikens in the scoring column while Brooke Flowers (10.6 ppg, 7.0 rpg) leads SLU in rebounding. 

Sharing the Love 

• Junior guard Quierra Love currently leads the MVC in assists per game (5.9) and assist/turnover ratio (2.9). 
• Love is also 18th in the country in assists per game and 11th in assist/turnover ratio. 

Southern Illinois v Saint Louis

• Tip: 4 p.m.
• Location: Chaifetz Arena, St. Louis, Missouri
• Radio: Saluki Sports Network on Magic 95.1 FM w/Trey Reamer
• TV: ESPN+
• Live Stats
• Updates: @SIU_WBasketball on Twitter.

Original source can be found here