Southern Illinois University
2-2
Charleston Southern
2-3
Men's Basketball overpowers Charleston Southern, 85-67
11/23/2010 | 12:00:00 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 23, 2010
By Tom Weber
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois delivered an early knock-out blow to Charleston Southern on Tuesday night and cruised to an 85-67 win in the preliminary round of the Chicago Invitational Challenge.
The combination of a relentless defense and an over-powering inside game helped the Salukis (2-2) build a 55-28 halftime lead. It was the most points Southern has scored in a first half since dropping 56 on Evansville on Jan. 30, 2002.
"They were really, really locked in," Saluki head coach Chris Lowery said of his team. "I thought the first half was as good as we've played in a really long time."
Southern's aggressive man-to-man defense held the Buccaneers (2-3) to just three field goals in the first eight minutes, allowing SIU to stake out a 22-7 lead.
"I thought their defensive pressure overwhelmed us the first couple minutes of the game," said CSU head coach Barclay Radebaugh. "As much as you describe it to them and show it to them on film -- until they experience it in person, it's tough to deal with."
The Bucs tried a variety of defenses to slow down SIU -- zone, man-to-man and full-court press -- but points kept coming free and easy for the Salukis, who shot 67 percent from the field in the half.
Just about every player in the lineup had a hand in the first-half success. Gene Teague, who finished with a game-high 15 points, was a force on the blocks. Carlton Fay nailed a couple of spot-up jumpers. Guards Justin Bocot and John Freeman finished with authority on the fast break. Forward Mamadou Seck came off the bench and attacked the basket with power moves. Kendal Brown-Surles penetrated the zone and stuck jump shots. Jack Crowder picked up some loose-ball buckets.
"We did a great job attacking their zones and their presses," Lowery noted.
Fifty-two of Southern's points came from the paint as the front-court trio of Teague, Fay and Seck combined for 39 points and 20 boards.
"Teague is obviously tough to deal with down there," Radebaugh said. "We really don't see guys like that down in our level. They do a good job getting him the ball, and being very patient."
The Salukis took their foot off the gas in the second half, allowing CSU to come as close as 14 points midway through the half, before rebuilding the lead to 20.
"Our immaturity and our youth showed a little bit in the second half," Lowery said. "That's when we've got to bury people."
SIU won every phase of the game, out-shooting CSU 59-39 percent and out-rebounding them 41-26. Coming off a narrow loss to a good Richmond team, Radebaugh said the difference between playing the Spiders and Salukis was immense.
"It's beauty and beast," he said. "Richmond is finesse and skilled, not that Southern Illinois isn't skilled, but they are much more physical, much more athletic."
In addition to Teague, Fay (13), Freeman (11) and Seck (11) all scored in double figures.
For the second-straight game, Lowery went deep within his bench, playing a 10-man rotation with no player gathering more than 26 minutes. He was especially pleased with the play of his subs, who delivered 32 points and 22 rebounds.
"We hadn't played this well with this unit as a whole," he said. "They were excited about it and happy they were playing this well."
Southern travels to Chicago tomorrow as it begins preparation for Friday's CIC game vs. Purdue at the Sears Center at 7:30 p.m. The Salukis will also play either Richmond or Wright State on Saturday.
