the Arena.The game was similar to a dock brawl throughout. Them most furious combat took place around the blocks with Tony Boyle, and wingman Carlton Fay taking on all comers. The 49ers Charlie Coley III and sidekicks Lamont Mack, Wilderness and others waded in with gusto.
Boyle closed for the Dawgs with a double double, (13 pts. and 12 rebs.) and Fay piled up 12 and 6. Meanwhile, Bryan Mullins added 13 pts. and Wes Clemmons sizzled home 12 on four threes. All nine Dawgs who played scored.
Charlotte was smarting from six consecutive reverses and so arrived revved up for action. The Niners were able to shoulder their way past Saluki perimeter defenders and push short passes into the lane for 5 footers.
Although the Salukis stalled LaMont Mack with just 2 pts, Ian Anderen bounded off the bench to get 18 on 6 threes, as Wilderness added 17.
The contest was knotted 11 times and there were eight lead changes.
Bryan Mullins was everywhere at once. A camera isolated on him in real time would have looked like it was jammed on fast forward. Regretably, when Mullins was in foul trouble or getting a breather, the Dawgs struggled against multiple Niners defenses.
Southern led 32-31 at half, and had a 62-58 lead with just over 2 minutes remaining. Charlotte soon drew even on Andersen's final three. With 23 sec. left the Niners again took possession.
A whistle screamed and Wilderness cooly plopped the winning free throws through the cords.
Still...... the clock glared 0:04. The crowd stood.......
Unfortunately, the Dawgs botched the inbound play as time evaporated.
Next up for the Salukis (3-4) is a Sun. Dec. 14 road game at Nevada at 5:05 CST.
Photo Credit- SIU sports information dept
