Saluki women host NIT game Thursday night

The Southern Illinois University women's basketball team has made postseason play for the first time since 1992. The Salukis host Stephen F. Austin in the first round of the National Invitational Tournament, Thursday, March 15.

Getting to the point - The Saluki women's basketball team and coach Dana Eikenberg look to continue this season's success when the Missouri Valley Conference champions host Stephen F. Austin Thursday night in a first-round NIT game at the SIU Arena. Eikenberg, the MVC Coach of the Year, has guided her team to a 20-10 record and its first post-season berth in 15 years.

A 7:05 p.m. tip-off is scheduled in SIU Arena.

The 2007 Missouri Valley Conference regular season champions reached the 20-win plateau for the ninth time in school history and the first time since the 1991-92 season. SIU's 16-2 conference mark is the best in 20 years (1986-87), the last time Southern won the outright regular season title.

Saluki head coach Dana Eikenberg was named the MVC's "Rawlings Coach of the Year," while SIU players tabbed five spots on the All-MVC rosters. Senior forward Carlai Moore was named to the first team, junior guard Jayme Sweere earned second-team and all-defensive team honors and sophomore guard Erica Smith was named honorable mention all-conference. The Salukis lone freshman, Dana Olsen, was tabbed on the all-freshman team.

Tickets are $6 for adults, $4 for children, high school, and SIUC Students. You can purchase tickets at www.ticketmaster.com or at the SIU Ticket Office located inside the SIU Arena. Business hours are 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. weekdays.

- Shalae Schulte