Southern Illinois University
20-4, 10-2MVC
Wichita St.
12-11, 6-6MVC
Men's Basketball Cruises Past Wichita State, 78-58
02/06/2002 | 12:00:00 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 6, 2002
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Kent Williams poured in 17 points as Southern Illinois routed Wichita State Wednesday night, 78-58, avenging a loss to the Shockers earlier this season.
The Salukis (20-4, 10-2) became the quickest team in school history to win 20 games, accomplishing the feat one week earlier than the 1989-90 squad, which won its 20th game on Feb. 13 of that season.
"Kent got us going early, and we played with a lot of energy on defense," Saluki head coach Bruce Weber said. "The margin of victory was surprising to be honest. If we play with this energy, and we play together, we are going to beat people. We are pretty good when we are clicking and doing the things we need to do.'''
SIU opened the game with an 18-6 run in the first eight minutes. Williams had six points in the flurry, as he worked off of screens and made high-arching jump shots in the paint. Darren Brooks drained a nifty left-handed jump shot and Brad Korn hit a runner in the lane to finish the run.
The Shockers (12-11, 6-6) cut the deficit to 24-15 on a dunk by Jamar Howard, but SIU finished the half with a 16-8 run and led 40-23 at the break.
The second half was all Salukis as they led by as many as 32 points, 62-30. Weber cleared the bench with six minutes remaining in the game.
"They are good, really good," Wichita State head coach Mark Turgeon said. "We've played other team with higher RPIs, and they are just as good as any team we've played. They went on a roll and whipped us. They called the dogs off, or it could have been worse."
In addition to Williams, the Salukis were led by Rolan Roberts, who patrolled the middle and scored 14 points. Tyrese Buie and Stetson Hairston added 12 and 11 points, respectively.
"I don't worry about my stats," Hairston said. "I'm on a good team. I just play to win."
Quoting Coach Weber: "It's funny how three weeks or whatever makes such a difference. We have played so well here, and we were hoping that we could play a game like this against a team that is pretty athletic."
"Our kids, after the first minute or so, I thought that we had a lot of energy and played some pretty good basketball. I thought we moved the ball pretty well, we took care of the ball and at times shot the ball pretty well."
"We were all over the place. We were up on the lines and forcing them to turn the ball over and got in transition. For the most part we played pretty good basketball. We played better all-around defense.''
"20 wins might be enough if we were in the Big 10, but we aren't in the Big 10. 20 is great, but our goal is still 25, and I don't want to stop at 25 if we can. Indiana State couldn't help us tonight. We still have some work to do, but we have seeded it in their minds that we can control our own destiny. If we win out we will win the league. I have tried not to let them be satisfied."
"If we win this whole thing, I think Kent should be player of the year, Rolan should be Newcomer of the Year, and Stetson and Darren should share Freshman of the Year.''
