Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Men's Basketball tops Windsor, 67-62
09/01/2008 | 12:00:00 | Men's Basketball
Sept. 1, 2008
By Tom Weber
www.SIUSalukis.com
Combined 3-Game Stats in PDF Format 
WINDSOR, Canada - Southern Illinois finished off a sweep of its three-game Canadian exhibition tour on Monday, rallying from a five-point deficit to beat host Windsor, 67-62.
The Salukis struggled offensively -- shooting just 18.2 percent in the second half and 25.4 percent for the game. They committed 23 turnovers.
The key to the victory was 30-of-35 shooting from the free throw line. In the second meeting in three days between the two teams, Windsor was determined not to get beaten physically by the Salukis. Every shot near the basket was contested, and whistles were plentiful, although not bounteous enough, according to Saluki head coach Chris Lowery.
"We kept stopping, because we thought we were getting fouled, and (Windsor) kept playing," Lowery said. "I think our immaturity showed. Our younger guys -- they were getting fouled -- and we got upset a couple times. That led to (Windsor) getting run-outs."
Early in the contest, it looked like SIU was poised to blow out the Lancers. Windsor did not make a field goal in the first 7:45 of the game. The Salukis, however, didn't capitalize on offense, and led, 12-6, after Windsor hit its first bucket.
"We missed about seven layups during that stretch," Lowery noted. "The score was 9-1, when it should have been 20-1, if you finish your plays and don't worry about how the whistle is going to go. We have to continue to teach our guys that we dictate things -- not referees."
The Salukis committed 15 first-half turnovers, including four three-second violations.
"We weren't throwing it to our big guys posting up," Lowery said. "It was our guards' fault. We were trying to get high-low, and get entries to the bigs. We just didn't make the pass."
Newcomers Kevin Dillard and Justin Bocot provided nearly all of the offensive fireworks for SIU. Dillard had 19 points and was too quick for any of the Lancer guards to defend. Bocot made all three of his 3-point shots and hit two highlight reel driving layups to finish with 13 points. The duo of Dillard and Bocot converted 9-of-17 shots, while the rest of the team was 7-of-46.
"We had guys miss layups, but they were all contested," Lowery said. "It was good for our guys to see that you always have to go strong and attack the rim, because they're not always going to call everything."
Senior forward Tony Boyle was effective in the post for SIU, scoring 13 points, including 5-of-6 from the free throw line. Lowery said the passes into the post were much better in the second half.
"We got them the ball inside and played smashmouth basketball," Lowery said, although he noted the frontcourt trio of Anthony Booker, Carlton Fay and Nick Evans combined to go 0-for-17 from the field. "We had several touches point blank and didn't finish them. Windsor did a great job of playing hard against us and really physical. It was a good learning experience for us."
Overall, Lowery said he was pleased with the level of competition offered by Windsor and yesterday's opponent, Western Ontario.
"Both teams had a lot of size and were very competitive and well-coached," he said. "These could be Division I teams in some lower leagues."
Lowery said his team played extremely well in spurts.
"We didn't blow anybody out, but we had good runs," he said. "Now, it's time for us to teach them how to sustain runs."
