One play and one basket by Randal Falker. Falker is playing with a touch of the flu today so hopefully he'll be able to play big minutes.
Tony Young gets a steal off of Kyle Wilson and converts it for two.
16:37- SIU has been plagued with turnovers early but still lead 4-3. Clemmons checks into the game and he needs to get going early.
15:32- Tony Young gets the feed down low to Falker and he hits the lay-in. 6-3 SIU. If Falker can keep getting the ball down low we can win this game. Looks good so far...
13:15- Falker shows some range hitting a 12 footer and has knocked down his first 3 shots.
This game is being controlled by the officials so far. They seem to be calling it very tight. Hopefully they will loosen up a bit as things progress.
11:01- Foster is in the game and has fouled the guy with the giant afro. This afro is four times the size of his head. 12-8 SIU.
10:35- JT comes off a screen and is fouled. JT is hot again, and this game is being played at Southerns pace. I think we are going to get this win.
8:38- Matt Shaw gets the ball down low and dumps in the bucket. Wichita State is doubling down on the post, and SIU is STILL getting points down there. 17-10 SIU
On the next possession Falker draws a charge on Kyle Wilson. Everything is going our way. This is a game that SIU can play in the high 50's and win.
7:30- Matt Shaw is stepping up! Big time three ball! Credit Tatum with a nice assist. Mullins gets a five second call on the other end then Tatum comes back and his a (lucky) three. SIU is owning! 23-10 SIU
4:11- Jamaal Foster gets in on the action with a tip in. 27-16 SIU
2:03- Tyrone Green shoots a wide open shot... clank. I understand Green plays good defense but please give these minutes to Josh Bone... Please.
1:24- Tatum hits another jumper- 12 point SIU lead
1:07- The SIU defense is smothering! Wichita State cant even get a shot off. We will win this game.
JT nails ANOTHER jumper at the buzzer!!! 13 point lead at the break. Matt Shaw is 3 for 3 and Tatum cant miss. Combine that with great defense and you have the best half of basketball SIU has played all year.
Second half- The defense is not relenting and SIU is taking long patient possessions. Things are looking good.
16:01- SIU is clearing off the rebounds and not giving the Shockers any looks. Time to start grinding out a win.
13:04- Tyrone Green is still in the game... can we see Josh Bone please?
11:28- Note to opponents- you cant give JT an open shot. The shockers just forgot about him and JT nails a three to give Southern a 40-25 lead. Nice.
8:23- SIU is milking the clock every possesion. Its a great strategy for a team that plays good D and is holding a 12 point lead. JT makes it all come together by beating defenders and knocking down shots with less than five second on the shot clock.
6:43 Clemmons travels with the ball. The shockers cut it to 10 points. Clemmons has to start playing better he is really hurting Southern lately.
5:30- The shockers cut the 17 point lead all the way down to 7. SIU will need to get the offense started.
4:48- Matt Shaw does the honers with a three point ball. That pushes the lead back to ten.
Disaster- Tatum throws the ball away an it turn into an opportunity for three point play for the Shockers. The lead is down to 6.
JT does it again, with the shot clock winding down he hits a huge jumper. Falker SWATS a shot at the other end. The tide has turned in the favor of SIU once again. 49-42 Southern with 3:14 remaining.
Tony Yong must be hurt- Bone is playing clutch minutes here and I'm glad to see it.
:49- Tatum misses the first end of a 1 and 1. Ouch.
:33 Wichita state goes to the line and hits one. 49-45 SIU
:31 Matt Shaw goes to the line. Matt hits one. 5 point lead
:17 Falker rebounds a missed three by Kyle Wilson. A free throw will ice it- and he hits it. 52-45 SIU. Ballgame.
Its in the books 54-46 SIU. The Salukis are top 25 bound and a conference title is within reach.
