TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – In a game that saw the Sycamores force 29 Southern Illinois turnovers, Ashley Clark scored a career-high 23 points, including 16 in the first half, to help the Indiana State women's basketball team clinch a 78-66 victory over Southern Illinois Thursday (Jan. 27) night at the Hulman Center. The Sycamores (11-6, 4-4 MVC) went to the free throw line 34 times, hitting 24. Conversly, SIU (2-15, 0-8 MVC) hit 7-of-8 from the charity stripe.

ISU started out slow, not scoring until nearly three minutes into the game. SIU jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead, until Clark got the Sycamore offense going by knocking down an easy lay-up. Lisa Verhoff followed Clark's bucket by hitting two free throws to tie the game. After the Salukis received a basket from Danette Jones, Laura Rudolphi hit a lay-up to once again tie the score. Melanie Boeglin stepped to up to the free throw line afte being fouled to knock down 1-of-2 free throws to give the Sycamores their first lead of the ballgame. ISU never trailed from that point on.

Clark turned in her best performance as a Sycamore as she hit 8-of-10 shots from the field and 7-of-8 free throws. The Cincinnati, Ohio native narrowly missed a double-double by gathering nine rebounds in her 31 minutes of play. Boeglin added 18 points on 5-of-10 shooting. Stephanie Lisch pitched in 13 points for ISU.

Jones led the way for Southern Illinois with 23 points. The Salukis leading scorer hit 8-of-17 shots from the field, including 5-of-12 from behind the three-point arc. Daphney Desamours chipped in 19 points and five rebounds. Lecretia Akines added eight points and seven boards in the losing effort for SIU.

Indiana State turned the 29 Saluki turnovers into 26 points. The Sycamores also outscored Southern 44 to 22 in the paint.

The Sycamores will return to the court on Saturday (Jan. 29) when they host the Evansville Purple Aces. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. and will follow the ISU men's game which tips at 2:00.

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