Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
4-2
Southeast Missouri
3-7
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Illinois | 44 | 42 | 86 |
| Southeast Missouri | 21 | 44 | 65 |
Men's Basketball routs SEMO, 86-65
12/09/2009 | 12:00:00 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 9, 2009
By Tom Weber
www.SIUSalukis.com
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Southern Illinois finally broke through with its first road win, routing Southeast Missouri State on Wednesday, 86-65.
The Salukis (4-2) bounced back from a 10-point loss Saturday at Saint Louis, by completely dominating the Redhawks (3-7).
The game was essentially over at halftime, with SIU ahead, 44-21. Tony Freeman scored 15 of his career-high 26 points during a first-half blitzkrieg that featured seven steals, four dunks and numerous breakaways for SIU.
"All of our frustration came out on SEMO," said Freeman, who showed no ill effects from the calf injury that kept him out of Saturday's game. "We came out with a chip on our shoulder. It was a confidence-booster. We wanted to show to ourselves and the staff and everyone else that we can go on the road and win."
Freeman made a trio of 3-pointers in the first five minutes of the game to set the tone for SIU's offense, which shot 60 percent in the half.
"That's why we brought him here -- for him to do these things on the road," said Southern Illinois head coach Chris Lowery about the Iowa transfer.
Saluki forward Anthony Booker, who was benched after contributing just two points at SLU, dominated the paint, scoring 10 points, grabbing 11 rebounds and blocking four shots.
"He played with no pressure -- he was a different person," Saluki head coach Chris Lowery said. "His athleticism was phenomenal. He hadn't done that in the starting lineup."
Booker had a pair of thunderous two-hand dunks in the first half, but it was his shot-blocking that helped ignite Southern's offense.
"We changed a few things to where I'm not on the perimeter so much trapping ball screens," Booker said. "I'm able to help my teammates more with blocks."
Directing the traffic for SIU was point guard Kevin Dillard, who had a point-assist double-double for the second time this season. Lowery said earlier in the week he was not happy with Dillard's play at Saint Louis, even though the sophomore guard scored 23 points. Tonight, Lowery was thrilled with a Dillard stat line that read 11 points, 10 assists, six rebounds and five steals.
"Kevin was special tonight," Lowery said.
The Saluki starting front court out-scored SEMO's starting front line, 26-5. SIU sophomore center Nick Evans had 15 points and two of the team's seven blocked shots.
"They're big and physical and just maul you," said SEMO head coach Dickey Nutt. "They were working on all cylinders."
The Salukis built their biggest lead, 77-41, with 7:51 remaining in the game. Of some consolation to SEMO was its ability to shave 15 points off the margin in the final eight minutes.
"I knew were going up against a giant," said Nutt. "I'm a realist, but I'm disappointed, because we had taken a few good steps forward, and that was a step backward. We're very lucky that it didn't get worse than it did."
The Redhawks have played Saint Louis, St. Bonaventure and Illinois State already this season, and Nutt said SIU was his team's toughest opponent to date.
"Of all the teams we've played, they seem to have all the pieces," Nutt said of the Salukis. "They have the size, they have strong guards, they shoot it well, they defend."
