ISU Sycamores fall to Salukis, 53-44

CARBONDALE, IL (1-25-2004) - Three Salukis scored in double figures as Southern Illinois downed Indiana State 53-44, on Sunday (Jan. 25) in front of 6,025 fans at SIU Arena. Both teams struggled to find their touch from the field, as they combined to shoot just .344 (33-of-96) from the floor.

Darren Brooks led all scorers with 14 points. LaMar Owen and Sylvester Willis posted twelve and ten points, respectively for SIU (14-2, 8-0 MVC). Owen also grabbed a team-high seven rebounds in the win.

David Moss (Chicago, Ill./Thornwood HS) led the Sycamores (8-8, 4-4 MVC) with twelve points, while Amani Daanish (Los Angeles, Calif./Cowley CC) added seven points and a game-high nine rebounds.

Trailing 25-19 in at halftime, the Sycamores used an 11-2 run in the first five minutes of the second stanza to take a 30-27 lead after Moss hit a 16-foot jumper from the left baseline. ISU held the Salukis without a field goal for the first 8:22 of the second half, but SIU was able to reclaim the lead (33-30) by going 8-of-8 from the free-throw line during that stretch.

A three-point shot from Darren Brooks gave SIU a 36-30 lead midway through the half. The Salukis increased their lead to as many as 14 (51-37) en route to victory.

Indiana State finished the game 14-of-43 (.326) from the floor and endured a stretch in the first half which saw the Sycamores go without a field goal for 11:32. Southern Illinois finished the game 19-of-53 (.358). The Salukis were just 2-of-14 from three-point range, but finished 13-of-15 from the free throw line.

The Sycamores were plagued by 19 turnovers, which SIU converted into 20 points. Offensively, the Trees recorded a season-low five assists. The Salukis held a 36-31 rebounding edge and recorded 14 second-chance points, compared to just five for ISU.

Indiana State returns home to face the Creighton BlueJays on Wednesday (Jan. 28). Tip-off is set for 6:05 p.m. CST at Hulman Center. The game will be televised locally in Terre Haute on WTWO NewsChannel 2. The entire Sycamores' 2003-2004 men's basketball season will be carried live via Internet Audio streaming on USA-365.com. Brian Fritz calls the play-by-play and Jim Waugh provides the color commentary. Wednesday's pregame shows start at 5:40 p.m. and the tip-off is at 6:05 p.m., CST / 7:05 p.m., EST.

Box Score