SIU vs Evansville Live Blog

SIU takes an early 5-2 lead on jumpers by JT and Tony Young. However, they are just settling for long jump shots. Not a good sign.

On cue SIU misses another jump shot and UE comes down and works the ball down low for a dunk and a 6-5 lead.

13:45 Tony Boyle catches the ball in the post and shows his nice touch hitting a mid range jumper. SIU leads 7-6

12:04 Evansville takes an 11-7 lead with two free throws from their big man. SIU continues to settle long jumpers vs the 1-3-1 zone.

Another 3 ball from Evansville gives them a 14-7 lead... ouch. Evansville has some nice three point shooters.

10:51 Here comes Josh Bone, hopefully he can provide a spark.

9:52 Matt Shaw does a good job drawing a charge. On the other end Jamaal Foster comes in a grabs a nice offensive board but the salukis cant capitalize. This is terrible.

7:50- Tony Young hits a three to cut the Evansville lead to 7. I cant believe we are down 17-10. Evansville is still in the 1-3-1 defense and they are taking away the skip/reverse pass on the perimeter. SIU must counter by getting the ball into the post and scoring on the baseline.

6:30 JT gets the ball kicked out to him for an open three pointer and he knocks it down. 19-13 Evansville.

At the other end Matt Webster muscles Jamaal Foster and get two foul shots- knocking down both of them. He has an unconventional shot that goes in every time.

5:34- Matt Shaw misses another three but Tony Young gets a HUGE steal after the rebound. He kicks to JT who hits a three in the corner. Its a 3 point shot or nothing for SIU tonight. Evansville has to like their chance with that.

4:21 Evansville's Matt Webster is killing us. He just caught the ball in the paint again and converted the basket. 25-17 UE.

Side Note- This Color Commentator for WSIU, CJ Smith, is the best color guy I have ever heard on local television. His comments are insightful and right on cue. He could be headed for bigger things.

2:17- Evansville is perfect at the free throw line tonght and they have increased their lead to 29-21. SIU is playing a 4 guard offense again with Tyrone Green playing Power Forward.

1:11 JT pushes the ball down the floor and is fouled. With SIU in the bonus JT hits 2 shots cutting the lead to 5.

43.5- Our best free throw shooter Tony Young misses TWO free throws. This is looking grim.

On the last possession of the half Evansville put three zone defenders to prevent a perimeter shot. JT wisely kicked to Tony Boyle who power dribbled and scored to cut the lead down to 5 points again.

SIU trails by 5 at the half and they played as flat as ever in the first half. Things have to improve in the second half.... right?

2nd Half

17:47- Finally SIU gets the ball into Falker down low, but he cant convert at the line.

17:11- Following an ugly Brian Mullins turnover Evansville gets the hoop and a hack.

I am going to quit live blogging until something good happens.

15:18- 42-28 Evansville.... looks like I wount be back until the game is over...

I'm back... and so is SIU with a surge lead by JT. 2 point game with one minute to go.

39:4- 3 SIU big men have fouled out... Green back in at the PF. Two free throws for Evansville.

The first is good, 3 point lead... the second is good 4 points.

JT pushes the ball and Falker is hammered. Hits the first 3 point game... misses the second.

Quick foul take EU back to the line, 68-64 Evansville with 30 seconds to play

Second is good also... JT answers with a bucket 69-66 Evansville with 26 seconds to play. Evansville can make free throws and put SIU away. Makes both...

Falker misses both free throws at the other end and thats ballgame.

Where is the team I just watched at SIU arena? Can SIU regroup for Creighton Saturday? Who knows... We'll be back later this week to preview the Creighton game.