Just when you thought it could not happen. SIU goes on the road and knocks off (formerly) the best team in the league. Now that distinction goes to the Salukis of Southern Illinois who battled their way to a win in Omaha, Nebraska tonight.
Randal Falker would not let SIU lose this game. Ever had a moment where you were "Poster-ized"? Anthony Tolliver had one tonight, when Randal crushed a dunk over him. Knock his free throw shooting all you want, Falker kept SIU in this game when Creighton had everything going for them.
Josh Bone provided the necessary spark for the Salukis in the first half. The officials were calling fouls for players who stood too close to their opponent. Tony Young guards hard, every night, tonight that hard defense was interpreted by the refs as a rule violation and he played with foul trouble all night long. When he and JT had 2 fouls early on Josh Bone came in and picked up the slack. Bone's silky smooth three point stroke paid serious dividends when he was able to jump start the SIU offense.
Many "big plays" were made in this game. Nake Funk had a few dribble drives for hoops that sent the biggest crowd in MVC history into an uproar. Funk however was a non factor on the deciding play of the evening. Bryan Mullins was the star at the end, doing his best Tim Hardaway impression using the "killer crossover" to break down his defender, pull up and score off the glass giving SIU a 58-57 lead with 4.1 to play. Nate Funk tried to answer with a desperation three, but he was denied, and SIU continued their dominance over Creighton.
Now SIU looks to put the other MVC teams in their rear view mirror with a win over UNI on Tuesday. With nine games in the books the confernce season is half way home and SIU is in the drivers seat. A win over UNI on Tuesday will be the first step in sealing the deal and bringing a conference title to its rightful home- Southern Illinois.
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