NCAA hoops fans not thoroughly familiar with the Salukis must have been puzzled Saturday night. In a nationally televised contest, there was this guy, wearing 23 in maroon, who was canning shots from all over the floor.
Justin Bocot, making just his second start for Southern, exploded for 28 points to pace the Dawgs to a 72-64 road win and a sweep of the season's series with Missouri State. Bocot nailed six treys and was perfect at the stripe.
The Bears had every reason to gnash their teeth. Just when it seemed like the extra-lean Salukis - minus the incomparable Bryan Mullins -would be easy pickings, along came Bocot. Guarding him was like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands.
SIU's 44-33 second half profit scrubbed a 31-28 halftime shortfall. Wesley Clemmons was busy punching up 11 pts. and snaring 6 boards. Having another productive night, Anthony Booker tracked down 9 rebounds and added 6 points.
MSU got solid scoring as Chris Cooks and Kyle Weems had 14 each and Cardell McFarland finished with 12. What's more, the Bears earned a solid 40-32 edge off the window and actually got 19 bounds on the offensive end.
Overall, however, State did not shoot very well from anywhere in this game and SIU managed to sizzle, hitting 19 for 21 ( 90.5) at the line, 9-15 (.600) from three, and 22-49 (.449) from the field.
ESPN-2's announcers commented repeatedly about how "physical" the game was, but MSU coach Cuonzo Martin said he felt Southern was quicker than he'd seen them before.
Vigilant SIU coach Chris Lowery spent the evening warily eyeing the foul totals to keep all his men in the game.
A squinting glance at the SIU bench appeared to reveal about 27 people in coats and ties and only a couple in basketball suits, but it must have been a mirage.
Eight men can't win in the Valley, can they? Maybe.
