Jan. 22, 2006
Box Score
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Senior Dana Ford came off the bench to lead Illinois State with 10 points and three steals, but the Redbirds could never take control as Southern Illinois added to its nation's best 32-game home court winning streak with a 56-44 win at SIU Arena, Sunday afternoon.
The Redbirds dropped to 7-10 on the season and 2-7 in the Missouri Valley Conference, while the Salukis improved to 14-5 and 7-2.
SIU's Tony Young scored the Salukis' first six points in the second half, but the Redbirds used a 7-0 run to close the deficit to 32-30 with 13:12 left in the game. ISU's Ronnie Carlwell went to the foul line at the 11:38 mark for two shots, and the chance to tie, but both charity shots bounced off the back of the iron.
During the Redbird run, the Salukis were held scoreless for over five minutes. After Carlwell's failed free throw attempts, SIU responded with a 9-0 spurt and took a commanding 41-30 lead with 8:30 on the clock, and the Redbirds were only able to get with nine points.
To open the game, SIU jumped out to a quick 12-4 start in the first seven minutes, thanks to nine points by Matt Shaw. But, the Redbird defense locked down and kept the Salukis off the scoreboard for the next six minutes, while closing the gap to 12-9 with 9:21 left in the half.
ISU had the chance to take its first lead of the game when Nedu Onyeuku headed to the free throw line after a two-shot foul, but he missed both attempts and the 'Birds trailed 14-13 with six minutes left. After a pair of baskets by SIU's Jamaal Tatum, the Salukis expanded their lead to 18-13, but Brandon Holtz's three-pointer at the 4:23 mark brought the 'Birds to within two points. Shaw continued his strong half by scoring SIU's final four points of the frame and finished with 13 first half points, while SIU held a 26-18 lead at the intermission.
Ford was the only Redbird in double-figure scoring, while Michael Vandello finished with nine points, off three second half 3-pointers. Shaw led all scorers with 21 points and Young finished with 13. Jamaal Tatum added 12 points.
The Redbirds play again on Wednesday when they host Indiana State at 7:05 p.m.
