SIU at UNI Live Blog

Early on both teams are having trouble getting in a grove, but Randle Falker is getting the ball and making things happen for SIU with 4 early points to give SIU a 7-6 lead early on.

With 13:01 remaining on the first half UNI puts together a 4-0 run with a basket by their 7 footer and a tear drop lay in by a freshman guard. JT answers with a running bucket of his own.

10:45- JT again with a HUGE killer crossover with the shot slock winding down. JT deaked the defender out of his shoes and the nailed the long range jump shot. sweet.

7:55- Matt Shaw gets his first bucket. Again SIU had nothing going on offensively and Shaw posted up, called for the ball, spun around and scored cutting the UNI lead to 15-13.

Southerns three point baskets are not falling, and we cant get anyting going on the offensive boards as well.

Shots are not falling for either team now. First team to 50 points will probably win this game.

2:58 SIU is shooting 38% to UNI's 53% and the game is still tied 18-18. A VERY good sign for SIU.

After another missed SIU three point shot UNI gets a runout and Matt Shaw sends Grant Stout into the first row on the foul. After Stout hits both free throws UNI opens up a 25-20 lead. A 5 point lead seams like much more in this game.

On SIU's last possesion of the half JT saves us again with a 3 pointer from his favorite spot- the top of the key.

After one last furious defensive stand UNI takes a 25-23 lead into the break.

Considering SIU is 3 for 11 from the 3 point line and only got 3 points off our bench (a Clemmons three pointer) we have to feel like we have a great chance to win this game heading into the second half.

17:02- Matt Shaw nails a three to end a three minute SIU drought. UNI leads 27-26

15:50- This entire game our guards have not went to the rack. Finally on two consecutive possesions Mullins takes it to the hole and gets the foul and the JT goes into the lane and gets the hoop and the hack.

14:49- JT breaks down low and catches the inbound to score again from the low block. It seems as if Lowery has told his troups that the long range shot is not working so lets shoot from 10 foot and in.

12:29- UNI guard Deet hits a big time three from the corner and this sleepy UNI crowd finall comes alive. After an SIU turnover UNI hits a quick bucket down low and SIU's five point lead is gone, along with all momentum. This game is tied 34-34. The UNI bench is killing us and our bench just cant put the ball in the hoop.

9:01- After UNI gets a wide open dunk, Shaw rattles out a three point try UNI gives it right back with a travel. This game is being pleyed at a slow and "measured" pace. 40-37 UNI

6:11- This game is slipping away from SIU. A defesive lapse followed by Shaws 4th foul and the lead is 7 points for UNI.

5:53- Falker keeps us in the game with a layup.

4:16- SIU trails by 8 now after a missed Tony Young three. Young forced up a shot with pleaty of time remaining, he wasn't even squared to the hoop. SIU's margin for error is zero.

2:58- SIU finally gets a stop on defense but UNI used all 35 seconds of the shot clock. Mullins gets the ball and races down the floor and draws a foul. He has a chance to cut the lead to 6 if he hits both.

1:24- After a long UNI possesion JT gets the ball and streaks down the court, he got ahead of himself and traveled. UNI throws the ball full court and dunks, this game is almost over.

48.7- JT goes to the line with a chance to cut the lead to 5. Hits one.

37.1- Falker gets a quick two, 59-53 UNI. Quick foul, Stout hits one.

27.8 Mullins passes up a three, while we are yelling at him he goes down low and hits a two.

19.7- SIU GETS A STEAL!!! Tatum passes to Young who clanks the three that would have cut the lead to two. He was wide open and missed....

13.8- After two free throws the lead is 7, and this time Young hits a three. The immeadite foul results in two more UNI free throws and gives them a 64-58 lead.

Tatum hit a meainingless three pointer at the end, but it was too little too late for SIU. Unfortunately we could not hit shots until we were behind the 8 ball, and UNI made enough free throws to hold us off. The bench play for SIU was dreadful and that was a key to our game today.

This loss is not a heartbreaker, SIU is still in fine position to win the conference and it is still very early. When UNI come to Carbondale they will have a huge target on their back. The Saluki's will be motivated to hang an "L" on the Panthers January 23rd when they visit SIU Arena.