Fresh from leaving Evansville smouldering with a mega-ton 106-54 blast, the Missouri State Bears blew into Carbondale Saturday itching to mangle the Salukis. Because Southern had just come wobbling back to campus after nasty debacles in Cedar Falls and Peoria, Barry Hinson had designs on dealing the Dawgs a rare setback at the Arena.
Smart guys were saying "Bears all the way." Instead, the "Saluki Seven" rounded up their game in a hurry. Randal Falker ripped the Ozark Bruins for 23 and Jamaal Tatum netted 19 including 4-4 threes. Matt Shaw added 9 and speared 8 rebounds. Tony Young chased MSU's ace gunner Blake Ahearn over miles of Illinois hardwood. Though Ahearn put up a creditable 18, not another Bear reached double figures. Mullins, Clemmons and Boyle were in there mixing it up with gusto. The Saluki defense reached new and previously unattained levels of effectiveness. Southern's defenders sprinted from point to point with maniacal intensity, spinning their arms like the blades of exhaust fans.
The ocean of Maroon in the stands ROARED continuously. The athleticism of that kind of defending is truly a wonder. It's like slalom skiiing side by side at 90 mph. Foster, Falker and Shaw all blocked shots. Meanwhile the Bears had to sweat to get that 56. They were so hassled trying to hoist three pointers as to manage just 4-19 for .211. The formerly AWOL bench Dawgs seemed to be enjoying their PT for once. They outscored the Bears reserves 16-11. Josh Bone had eight and looked quick and decisive. Jamaal Foster rammed home a dunk and converted for an old time 3. The slam really wigged out announcer Mike Reis who yelled in the mike " FOSTER DUNKED IT !!!" with unbridled glee at least six times.
Coach Lowery spent the necessary time tutoring his men on how to attack zones in the last couple of practices. Missouri State alternated zone and man but the Dawgs passing was crisp and dribble penetration much more fruitful than noted lately. Missouri St is one of the best coached and formidable teams to battle the Dawgs in many years. I doubt there was a more hard-fought game in the nation on this day. The customary rematch in Springfield awaits. Finally, the gladdened audience rolled out the Arena doors into the chill and misty murk of a January dusk. Merchants of Carbondale would proper for hours to come. The Valley Rocks .
THAT'S TODAY'S VIEW FROM ROW TWO
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
This game was a clinic. Young people attending SIU summer basketball camps will watch replays of this game.
Weaknesses became strengths and question marks became exclimation points. Bad news for valley contenders- the Salukis aren't going anywhere.
PWNED! SIU is l33t and MSU are a bucnh of n00bs!
Post a Comment