siuDE.com

A team struggling to find consistency will return home today with its mind on a much-needed Missouri Valley Conference win.

After another loss on the road at Northern Iowa on Saturday, the Salukis will return to host Indiana State (10-11, 5-6 MVC) tonight at the SIU Arena.

This will be the second meeting for the two teams this season as they met previously Jan. 12 in Terre Haute, Ind., where the Salukis (11-11, 6-5) lost in double-overtime, 64-62.

While many fans might be looking for the team to seek revenge on the Sycamores, coach Chris Lowery said the Salukis would not focus on the past for motivation.

"I don't think you can use that," Lowery said of the team seeking revenge. "I think you have to use where we are in the league and that's what has to be consistent with us."

The Salukis sit in a four-way tie for sixth place in the MVC with Northern Iowa, Creighton and Bradley.

Consistency has been a struggle for the team this season as leading scorers and senior forwards Matt Shaw and Randal Falker are hot and cold with each game.

Both Shaw and Falker fouled out within the final minute and a half of the game Saturday against Northern Iowa. Lowery said having both of them on the court late could have changed the outcome.

"It was big," Lowery said. "My whole thing is that they have to stay in the game and find a way to stay in the game and they didn't."

Lowery said the team has to now focus on getting a strong position for the MVC Tournament in March.

Indiana State is led by sophomore guard Marcio Stintson - who hit a late 3-pointer to give the Sycamores a victory in the team's first meeting this season - with 12.9 points per game.

Senior guard Gabe Moore adds 10.5 points and sophomore guard Harry Marshall tallies 9.8 points per game.

The Salukis had practice abruptly canceled by the power outages on campus Monday afternoon but Lowery said the team did get about half an hour of time on the floor.

Lowery said he doesn't expected shortened practice to affect the team because of the experience and maturity that should already be displayed by the squad.

"We just have to go and play really hard and that's the key," Lowery said.

Also announced Monday was the Salukis opponent in the ESPN O'Reilly BracketBuster as they will face Nevada at home in a nationally televised game.

Megan Kramper can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 256 or megkramp@siu.edu.

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