Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Men's Basketball Rolls Again to 22-Point Win
08/05/2003 | 12:00:00 | Men's Basketball
Aug. 5, 2003
POORVOO, Finland - Led by 33 points from guard Darren Brooks, the Southern Illinois University men's basketball team downed Finnish club team Namika Lahti, 87-65, Tuesday night.
Brooks, who enters his junior year as the team's leading returning scorer, converted 11-of-20 shots from the field, including 4-of-7 from 3-point range. He also added six rebounds and five steals.
"It was a quiet 33 for DB, if there is such a thing" said head coach Matt Painter. "Obviously, he played very well, but I'll be surprised if he doesn't top this during the trip because it's such an open game over here, and he can score in so many different ways."
The Salukis, who improved to 2-0 on their six-game tour, led by just three points at halftime, 42-39.
"This was a much better opponent than our first game," Painter said. "They did a nice job of isolating their big guys on the perimeter in the first half. We adjusted by putting Darren on one of their better big guys in the second half, and that helped."
Painter said the tempo of the game is much different in Europe.
"There's a 24-second shot clock and they press you full court before falling back into a zone," he said. "You have to attack very quickly, and that's a bit of an adjustment for us."
Two of SIU's front court players joined Brooks in double figure scoring. Sylvester Willis had 13 points and Josh Warren had 12 points, eight rebounds and two blocks.
"Josh did a good job of taking it to the basket early, but then he tired late in the game," Painter said.
The Salukis, who have an off day on Wednesday, are travelling with just eight players.
Saluki Points/Rebounds
Darren Brooks 33/5
Sylvester Willis 13/2
Josh Warren 12/8
Ryan Walker 8/6
Brad Korn 7/2
Bryan Turner 6/4
Tony Young 4/0
Leonard Hughes 4/0
