Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
3-3
Charlotte
6-2
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Illinois | 20 | 36 | 56 |
| Charlotte | 32 | 39 | 71 |
Charlotte drops Men's Basketball, 71-56
12/08/2007 | 12:00:00 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 8, 2007
By Tom Weber
www.SIUSalukis.com
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Charlotte dealt Southern Illinois its third-straight loss Saturday night, as the Salukis agonized once again to make open shots.
For the third-straight game, the Salukis (3-3) fell behind early because of a lengthy dry spell on offense. SIU led the game, 9-4, at the 14:12 mark of the first half after Tyrone Green banked in a jumper on a fast break. Then the Salukis mysteriously hit a 10-minute scoring drought, in which the offense repeatedly misfired. The Salukis missed 12-straight shots and committed seven turnovers during the frustrating 10-minute stretch.
"I thought we did a good job of holding them down, but when we don't get points out of our stops," Saluki head coach Chris Lowery's voice trailed off.
The 49ers (6-2) didn't need to be very good on offense, just competent, and they were. Ian Anderson sparked the team with seven points off the bench as Charlotte ran off 17 unanswered points during SIU's cold spell. While the 49ers made only 40 percent of their shots in the first half, they still led, 32-20, due to SIU's struggles on offense.
The Salukis started slowly in the second half, making just one field goal in the first six minutes, allowing Charlotte to extend to its biggest lead of the night, 47-24, with 14:44 remaining in the game. Leemire Goldmire, who scored 24 points to lead the 49ers, had 11 points during Charlotte's opening salvo of the second half.
"You can't guard people forever," Lowery noted.
To Southern's credit, it did not roll over and die. The Salukis shaved nine points off the deficit with a 12-3 run to cut the deficit to 50-36 with 10:00 remaining. Matt Shaw finished the run with a jumper for two of his team-high 20 points.
Still, it wasn't enough, as the Salukis made just one field goal in the next five minutes, allowing Charlotte to rebuild its lead. Lowery seemed perplexed to explain his team's shooting woes.
"They're wide open, and you've got to make them," Lowery said. "Right now, our confidence level is not where it needs to be."
Of particular concern was the play of the team's leading scorer and Missouri Valley Conference pre-season player-of-the-year Randal Falker. For the first time since his freshman year, Falker was held scoreless. He attempted only three shots against frequent double-teaming.
"He's got a target on his back," Lowery said. "(Charlotte's big guys) played hard. They brought their A-game. He didn't."
Southern's offensive woes could hardly be blamed entirely on Falker. SIU was 6-of-26 from 3-point range, allowing the 49ers to pack the defense on Falker. A good number of Southern's 17 turnovers came on errant entry passes, also.
"We probably took a few too many perimeter shots," said Shaw. "We need to get the ball inside more, get to the line more."
The Salukis will look to right the ship on Tuesday when they host Saint Mary's at 7 p.m.
