Southern Illinois University
Birmingham Bullets
Men's Basketball Drops Exhibition to Birmingham, 90-87
11/09/2001 | 12:00:00 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 9, 2001
CARBONDALE, Ill - Southern Illinois rallied from a seven-point deficit in the second half but faltered late in the game and lost to Birmingham Friday night, 90-87, in the final exhibition tuneup before next week's season opener against Belmont.
Kent Williams led the Salukis with 23 points, including 10-of-12 from the free throw line.
The Saluki defense was sharp early, holding the Bullets to just one field goal in the first 3:45 of the game. But Birmingham found its stroke and wound up shooting 57 percent on the night.
"We have to work on putting teams away," Williams said. "We knew we were in for a good battle and it got pretty physical at times, but we will just have to learn from this.''
The Bullets built 63-56 lead with 12:30 left in the game before SIU mounted a comeback. It started with a 3-point play by Rolan Roberts as the Salukis went on a 14-5 run during the next five minutes to claim a 70-68 lead.
Roberts scored at will on the inside for the Salukis, converting 7-of-8 field goal attempts and finishing with 18 points, but he was limited to 23 minutes due to foul trouble.
Birmingham rallied back and led 81-77 with 3:34 remaining, but three free throws by Williams and a pair by Rolan Roberts gave SIU an 82-81 lead with 2:28 left.
A field goal and 3-pointer by Brant Bailey put Birmingham back in front 88-83 with 26 seconds left. Bailey led the Bullets with 21 points.
"We have to have more enthusiasm, lots of excitement," SIU head coach Bruce Weber said. "They have to start caring for each other. We have to get that mentality that winning is the most important thing.''
The Salukis open the regular season next Friday with a 7 p.m. home game against Belmont.
