Southern Illinois University
21-6, 11-4
Illinois St.
14-12, 10-5
Men's Basketball Falls to Illinois State, 84-70
02/16/2002 | 12:00:00 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 16, 2002
Postgame Audio:
NORMAL, Ill. - Illinois State shot 48 percent from the field and handed Southern Illinois its second straight loss, 84-70, Saturday at Redbird Arena.
The Salukis (21-6, 11-4), who had not lost back-to-back games this season, were led by Kent Williams' 27 points. Rolan Roberts added 22 points and 10 rebounds.
In the first half, the Redbirds (14-12, 10-5) jumped out to a quick 16-7 lead as Shawn Jeppson scored seven of his game-high 22 points.
Southern Illinois came as close as three points, 20-17, on a jumper by Jermaine Dearman at the 9:55 mark. However ISU pulled away for a 43-30 halftime advantage and shot 61 percent from the field in the half.
In the second half, the Salukis rallied to pull within one point, 47-46, on a layup by Darren Brooks with 14:52 remaining. However, they could never tie or pull ahead and gradually saw the Redbirds' lead grow as ISU made its free throws and SIU did not.
Illinois State was 27-of-33 from the line, while the Salukis made 7-of-17 attempts.
"We expended all that energy to catch up," Saluki head coach Bruce Weber said. "Then we missed our free throws, and they made shots when it counted."
SIU now trails league-leading Creighton by a game and a half. The Bluejays play on Sunday.
"We've slipped," Weber said. "Our motion is horrible. Our defense has slipped. Hopefully, we can find a way to regroup."
Illinois State became just the third team this season to shoot better than 45 percent from the field against SIU.
