2008 Woodie Awards
Strong second half leads to win
Salukis light up paint, stifle Indiana State
Megan Kramper
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This time Indiana State sophomore guard Marico Stinson didn't get the final word.
The Salukis used a 10-0 run in the first four minutes of the second half to shut down the Sycamores (10-12, 5-7 MVC) Tuesday night at the SIU Arena, 80-69.
The last time the two teams met was Jan. 12 when the Salukis lost in double overtime in Terre Haute, Ind., as Stinson scored a late 3-pointer to give the Sycamores a 64-62 victory.
Coach Chris Lowery said senior leadership was the difference this time.
"I'm proud of my seniors because I think they realize now what they have to do," Lowery said.
Junior guard Bryan Mullins recorded 22 points and five assists as he was one of four Salukis to score in double figures.
Senior forward Randal Falker recorded a double-double on the night, with 20 points and 15 rebounds, and senior forward Matt Shaw added 11 points for the Salukis (12-11, 7-5).
But Lowery credited senior guard Tyrone Green as a spark for the team as he came off the bench to score 11 points.
"Greeney was the spark plug when we were dead in the water," Lowery said.
Green said he knew the game was big for the Salukis and he wanted to contribute to his team in any way possible.
With eight minutes left to play in the game, Mullins drew his fourth foul of the night and said it was tough being unable to guard the way he's used to.
"I just tried not to touch a defender for the rest of the game," Mullins said. "I didn't know what they we're going to call on me next."
SIU's ability to get to the line allowed them to hit more free throws than the Sycamores attempted.
Coach Chris Lowery said Falker's aggressiveness led the Salukis to take more than twice the amount of free throws than they did Saturday night at Northern Iowa.
He said shooting more free throws changed the momentum of the game.
"We're a ball-control team," Lowery said. "It gives us a chance to rest defensively on the free-throw line and can really attack a little more on the defensive end."
The game came to an abrupt halt with 7:29 left to play in the first half as a tornado warning forced fans to the court and the two teams into the locker rooms, which caused a roughly 20-minute delay.
Lowery said the delay caused the Salukis to come out a bit casual. He said further weather complications forced the team to do its scouting report in the dark on Monday due to the power outage across campus.
He said it showed in the beginning of the game.
Though they were down 35-33 at halftime, the Salukis opened up the second half with a 10-0 four minute run.
Indiana State coach Kevin McKenna said nothing has drastically changed since the last time the two teams faced-off except Falker's presence on the floor.
The Sycamores also had four players score in double figures as Stinson led with 18 points while senior guard Gabe Moore added 15 points and six assists.
Junior forward Jay Tunnell added 13 points and four rebounds and sophomore guard Harry Marshall rounded out the Sycamores' offense with 11 points and four rebounds.
The Salukis will have a five day break before traveling to Omaha, Neb., to take on the Creighton Bluejays on Sunday. Tip off is set for 6:00 p.m.
Megan Kramper can be reached at
536-3311 ext. 256 or
megkramp@siu.edu.
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