Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Northwest Sports
Men's Basketball Pounds Northwest Sports, 102-75
11/15/2003 | 12:00:00 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 15, 2003
By Josh Magill
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois University men's basketball team came out firing in its final preseason exhibition game, blowing out Northwest Sports, 102-75. Sophomore Darren Brooks' quick feet, as well as the long range shooting of senior Brad Korn once again led the Salukis to a victory.
SIU opened the game with a 14-0 run in the first 4:10. Brooks scored seven of the Salukis' first nine points in 1:32 to fuel the spurt. A Jamaal Tatum three-pointer capped off the early attack at the 15:50 mark.
"I would say from a defensive standpoint we just have to maintain our intensity," head coach Matt Painter said. "I told them each time our goal in the first half is to hold our opponent under 25 points. Now once we get tired in the second half, it's a different story."
"Both games, our opponents got off to a 10-0 run to start the (second) half. That's what I talked to these guys about at halftime," Painter said. "For the first five minutes, be ready to play. It's good that we're coming out and doing a good job, but now we have to work on maintaining it."
Leading 28-12, Korn heated up from long range, knocking down a pair of three-pointers as part of a 14-6 run, which extended SIU's lead to 42-18 with a little over two minutes to play in the half. Korn also scored on a jumper and two free throws, as he posted 10 points in a span of 5:15.
"I'm just playing hard and making shots. I probably wouldn't be there if I couldn't make shots," Korn said. "I'm just making shots, helping the guys on defense and getting rebounds."
"My shot just felt good tonight. We've just got to be on the same page with a defensive mindset, a rebounding mindset and play hard," Korn added.
Following Korn's burst, the Salukis headed into the locker room with a comfortable 44-25 lead. Thanks to SIU's smothering defense, Northwest Sports committed 13 turnovers in the first half of play. The Dawgs also outrebounded their opponent, 25-16, including 13 on the offensive end.
"We've harped on improving our inside intensity and getting 13 offensive rebounds in the first half was great," Painter said. "I'm very pleased with their effort and the way we hit the boards in the first half."
Brooks and and Korn would begin the second half where they left off. The duo would score three of the first four buckets by SIU in the first 1:33.
The two squads would then trade baskets for the next 3:18 until a Ryan Walker three-pointer would begin a 12-6 run for the Salukis. SIU hit three more long-range buckets during the spurt by three separate players to take a 73-51 lead.
"I think we're ready to start the season," Brooks said. "Our chemistry is not all together just yet because we're missing two guys right now. Once we get those two guys everything will be a lot better."
Korn knocked down a total of 14 points in the second half for a team high 24 points in the game. Brooks added 12 points in the second half, finishing with 22 points to solidify the win for SIU. In addition, Sylvester Willis grabbed eight rebounds, four on the offensive side, to lead the Dawgs.
SIU finished with six players scoring in double figures. Northwest Sports was led with 30 points from Josh Hall.
