Southern Illinois University
1-0
Belmont
0-1
Men's Basketball Cruises Past Belmont, 82-71
11/16/2001 | 12:00:00 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 16, 2001
CARBONDALE, Ill. - A balanced offensive attack helped lead Southern Illinois past Belmont Friday night at SIU Arena, 82-71, in the season opener for both schools.
Four players scored in double figures for SIU, led by Jermaine Dearman's 18 points.
"I thought it was a good win for us," said Saluki head coach Bruce Weber. "I told you before the game that (Belmont was) a scrappy bunch. They shoot threes, a lot like Princeton, and they make everyone defend."
Southern jumped out to an early 15-7 lead with 14:43 to go in the first half, behind 3-pointers from Kent Williams and Stetson Hairston. Both players finished with 11 points.
But Belmont rallied back and took the lead, 24-22, on a dunk by Scott Blackwell. After falling behind by four points, Southern went on an 18-7 run to close out the first half and grab a 46-39 halftime lead.
In the second half, the Bruins came as close as five points, 62-57, on a four-point play by Wes Burtner. But SIU answered with a 15-3 run and Belmont never threatened thereafter.
The Salukis (1-0) built their biggest lead of the evening, 80-62, with 2:40 left in the game.
Weber had high praise after the game for a pair of freshmen, Darren Brooks and Stetson Hairston, who scored 14 and 11 points respectively. Hairston played particularly well on defense, shadowing Burtner and holding him to 6-of-16 shooting from the field and 21 points.
The Salukis played with much more energy than they did in their last exhibition game, according to Williams.
" We dove on the floor and took some charges and got in each others face when somebody made a big play, and that is what it takes," Williams said. "You are going to get banged around, and if you just go around with your mouth shut the whole game it's going to be a drudgery out there. You have got to have some fun out there if you want to play to win.''
Southern Illinois returns to action Monday night when the team plays at Saint Louis.
