Senior center Dyana Pierre attempts a basket during SIU’s 69-68 loss to Loyola University on Sunday at SIU Arena.
The Salukis (10-6) looked to improve to 4-0 in the Missouri Valley Conference and remain in first place, but came out sluggish in the first half.
"We didn't play our best basketball and it cost us," coach Cindy Stein said. "As a team, we didn't do the little things that we needed to do in order to come away with a win."
The Dawgs turned the ball over five times in the first quarter and trailed 18-13 as Loyola put defensive pressure on early.