CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois hit six three-pointers in the first quarter to build a 26-7 lead and never looked back as the league-leading Salukis topped Bradley 75-49 Friday at SIU Arena.

Bradley (4-9 overall, 0-2 MVC) struggled offensively early on and Southern Illinois (10-5 overall, 3-0 MVC) took advantage by making 6-of-12 three-pointers in the opening 10 minutes en route to a 26-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.

A Tamya Sims (Milwaukee, Wis./Oak Creek) three-point play with 49 seconds left in the second quarter pulled Bradley within 15 points 37-22, but SIU had a pair of baskets in the closing seconds to take a 41-22 lead at the break.

Cartaesha Macklin had a pair of baskets and had three assists, including assisting a pair of Rishonda Napier three-pointers, to help highlight a 14-0 SIU run to open the second half.  The spurt helped the Salukis extend the lead to 55-22 nearing the midway point of the third. 

The Braves held Southern Illinois to just eight points over a nine-minute span and outscored the Salukis 23-8 to trim the deficit 65-47 with just under six minutes to play.   Junior Whitney Tinjum (Stacy, Minn./Chisago Lakes/Washington State) scored six of her team-high 10 points during the stretch for Bradley.

Dyana Pierre got free on the inside for a layup and had a three-point play a minute later to open another 10-0 SIU run as the Salukis cruised to the 75-49 win.

Tinjum had her second double-double of the year with 10 points and 10 rebounds off the bench, collecting eight points and seven rebounds in the second half.  Sims had nine points, five boards and one block to help pace the Braves.

Macklin led four Southern Illinois players in double figures with 18 points and five assists.  Kim Nebo finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds as she was one of two Salukis to post double-doubles.  Pierre, who tied with SIU career blocked shots record, grabbed 10 offensive boards and finished with 11 points and game-high 17 rebounds.  Napier joined the trio in double figures with 11 points. 

The Braves close out a two-game road swing Sunday with a 1 p.m. game at Evansville.