Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
5-2
Alabama State
1-6
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama State | 31 | 32 | 63 |
| Southern Illinois | 40 | 42 | 82 |
Men's Basketball cruises past Alabama State, 82-63
12/12/2009 | 12:00:00 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 12, 2009
By Tom Weber
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - A deadly inside-outside attack helped Southern Illinois run away with an 82-63 win over Alabama State Saturday at SIU Arena.
The Salukis (5-2) shot 61 percent from the field -- the first time SIU has topped the 60 percent mark in its last 80 games. The guards got hot early, and that opened up lanes for the big men down low.
Trailing, 6-3, SIU went on a 14-0 run to seize control of the game. Kevin Dillard and Tony Freeman each hit 3-pointers during the run, while Justin Bocot and Anthony Booker threw down rim-rattling dunks. Dillard led the team with 19 points.
"We hit them with a big burst and some monster dunks," said Saluki head coach Chris Lowery.
The Hornets (1-6) featured an undersized lineup, with just one starter taller than 6-foot-5. The 6-foot-8 Booker took advantage in the first half, scoring eight of his 12 points off the bench.
"We knew we were going to have problems with bigs around the basket," said Alabama State head coach Lewis Jackson. "They were able to score and take advantage of that size."
Southern led, 40-31, at halftime, and extended the lead to 23 points with a 16-2 run to start the second half. Freeman, who finished with 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting from 3-point range, keyed the run with a pair of triples. Six-foot-eleven center Nick Evans, who went scoreless in the first half, hit a pair of short jumpers and that was the beginning of a 14-point evening for the sophomore.
"(Nick) was rushing (in the first half), and he shot some jumpers that we didn't like, and we took him out immediately," Lowery said. "We told him `we don't need you shooting those' and right away, he went inside and was dominant. We ran a couple of things for him down around the rim, and he scored on all of them. He made some great moves in the post."
Evans put the exclamation point on his performance with a fast-break, windmill dunk that put SIU ahead, 68-46, with 8:38 remaining.
The Salukis won almost every phase of the game. They out-rebounded Alabama State, 36-20, and out-shot them 61 percent to 39 percent.
"We have a good chemistry right now," Dillard said. "You look for other people, and other people are going to look for you. That's the good thing about this team -- nobody is selfish, and there's not a scoring battle between anybody. We're just out there to win."
The Salukis had a balanced attack, with 45 points from the guards and 37 points from the front court.
"Today, Booker played very well, and Nick did also, and they have to respect Carlton (Fay)," said Dillard. "When everybody syncs in like that, and with the great shooter that Free is, that opens up the perimeter."
Another key contributor for Southern was backup point guard Kendal Brown-Surles, who scored seven points and added five assists with no turnovers.
"Kevin and Kendal are doing a great job of running the team," Lowery said. "Kendal allowed Kevin to slide off and get 19 today. Kendal has five assists and no turnovers, which is great for a freshman."
The Salukis have a week off for finals before heading to Las Vegas next weekend for games against San Diego and San Francisco on Dec. 19 and 20.
"Everybody gets mentally drained because of finals and studying all night, but at the end of the day, we have to come in here and let all of that go," Dillard said. "This is like our getaway from school. When we get on the court, it's all about basketball. I feel that if we come in and practice like we've been doing, then we'll be fine."
