Dec. 29, 2006
Box Score
NORMAL, Ill. -
The Illinois State men's basketball team had three players reach double figures in scoring, but it wasn't enough as the Redbirds fell to Southern Illinois, 68-49, in a Missouri Valley Conference game Friday night at Redbird Arena.
The Redbirds, who fall to 8-5 (0-2 MVC), were led by junior Dom Johnson, who notched a team-high 11 points. Junior Levi Dyer and freshman Osiris Eldridge each added 10 points for ISU, who scored a season-low 20 points in the first half.
Southern Illinois improves to 10-2 (1-0 MVC) and was led by seniors Matt Shaw and Jamaal Tatum, who both tallied 16 points apiece. Senior Tony Young and junior Randal Falker chipped in with 12 and 10 points, respectively, as SIU shot an even 50 percent from the field.
The first half began with both Illinois State and Southern Illinois trading early baskets, as Eldridge hit consecutive three pointers to give the Redbirds an early 8-5 lead with 16:27 remaining. However, the Salukis were able to pull ahead with a 14-2 scoring run, led by Tatum's five points, to give SIU the advantage at 19-10 with 8:33 left in the half. The Redbirds trailed the Salukis 27-20 at the break, with Shaw leading all scorers with 10 points.
Southern Illinois opened up the game in the early minutes of the second half by going on a 18-6 run, giving the Salukis their largest lead of the game at 45-26 with 12:14 left. The run was backed by senior Tony Young, who had seven points during the run. The Salukis proved to be too much for the Redbirds to handle, as SIU was able to hold on its lead for the remainder of the second half, courtesy of a 14-7 run to close out the game.
The Redbirds will travel to face Creighton in a Missouri Valley Conference match up on Monday, Jan. 1, 2007. Tip off is scheduled for 3:05 p.m.
