Nevada Knockout- Salukis fall out West

While it wasn't exactly a prize fight the Salukis were able to trade punches with the Wolfpack until a scoreless drought in the last 4+ minutes of the game left them on the canvas for good.

Offensive identity is now a serious concern for the Dawgs, who never got over the hump after a 9 minute scoreless stretch early in the second half.

Mullins, Fay, and Boyle all pitched in on offense with double digit output, but Clemmons, Hare, Dillard, and Roundtree combined to score only 5 points in 77 minutes of play. Finding a way to fix these offensive woes will be Lowery's biggest challenge of this season, and quite possibly of his career.

Northern Illinois is next and while it is a road game, it's still a game the team needs to win if they're going to turn this season around.

Where are they now? Shaw, Falker, and Tatum

With the current Saluki squad out of action this week for final exams, it's a good time to check in on three recent Salukis who are now playing for a paycheck.

Matt Shaw- U.B. La Palma (Spain)

Shaw is playing in the Spanish League, averaging 7.2 points per game for U.B. La Palma. He posted season high 16 points, hitting 3 of 3 from downtown on November 14th.

Unfortunately, he's been sidelined due to injury since November 22nd. The La Palma team blog indicates that it's a back injury and that he has received an MRI, but it's unclear exactly how long he'll be out. The good news is that Shaw has established himself as a valuable player for La Palma so he should be able to continue a pro career if he chooses to do so.

Randal Falker- Cholet (France)

First off Randal writes a personal blog that you've gotta check out. In his blog posts he talks about his trip to France (and getting lost when he got there), cultural differences, and the day he realized that basketball had become a "job". Those who had a chance to meet Randal know he's an entertaining and happy go lucky guy, which shows through in his blog.

Falker's team Cholet Basket, is currently in 14th place (out of 16 teams), but he's been able to contribute with an average of 7 points and 7 boards. Falker was voted team MVP for the month of October.

Jamaal Tatum- Idaho Stampede

Tatum, who also has his own website, signed a non-guaranteed NBA contract with Portland back in August but didn't make the final cut. Now Tatum is playing in the NBA Developmental league with the Blazers affiliated team, the Idaho Stampede.

JT is coming off the bench for the Stampede but he's still playing 30 minutes a game and averaging 16 points. After missing all of last season with an ankle injury, he will continue to develop his point guard skills and hope for a shot on an NBA roster.

Dawgs Kayoed Late

Two free throws by An'Juan Wilderness, plus six second half threes by Ian Andersen vaulted the Charlotte 49ers over SIU 66-64 on Saturday at 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

Carolina Storm Warning

If the SIU Arena has any windows, somebody better board em up quick.

The Charlotte 49ers blow into town this afternoon. They're hungry to break a six game skid, and have a 6-1 record, all time against the Salukis.

The 49'ers (1-6) opened with a win over UNC Greensboro. Since then they've lost one game by 1, two by 2 and one in overtime. Coach Bobby Lutz has a 3-1 career mark against Southern including a rare win at the Arena on Jan. 2, 2004. That's only one of five SIU home defeats in the last 101 contests.

Last year Charlotte smacked the Dawgs around 71-56, including a 20-0 mid-game run.

This year's 49ers figure to get back on track pretty soon. They aim to start today.

Charlotte features a pair of 6-7 senior forwards, Charlie Coley III and Lamont Mack. Mack's the team's leading scorer (12.4) and Coley is the top rebounder (6.6) . He nabbed 11 against both Clemson and Arizona State. Rim punishing dunks are CC's specialty. 6-6 Soph. forward An'Jaun Wilderness (9.9, 3.7 boards) will also be a factor below the blocks.

The Niner attack is balanced. Seven different men have already posted double figures on offense and six have lead the squad in scoring.

Charlotte's reserves contribute over 20 points a game and posted 33 vs. Clemson. Sixth man Ian Anderson, a 6-4 Jr. guard, leads with 10.4

The 49ers have averaged over eight steals a game. Chief culprit: 5-9 Jr. guard DiJuan Harris.

Coach Chris Lowery's team showed marked effectiveness on the defensive end vs. SLU. SIU will look to play with control and keep the game in the 60's. The Salukis have the personnel to match Charlotte. Big versus big will be the difference.

When Duke had 40 made free throws Southern sagged. SIU's 27-31 at the line sank St. Louis. So we'll go with the stat line for free throws as the determiner today in a close one.

SIU 69 Charlotte 67.

Game time is 1:05.

SOUTHERN SENDS BILLS PACKING

St. Louis University coach Rick Majerus had heard all about SIU's trademark defensive intensity. He'd heard about the hustle, the sound positioning and layers of coverage. He heard it was all a memory.

But he heard wrong.

Southern pounced on SLU and dished out a 64-48 setback on Tuesday night. The win, which squared the SIU record at 3-3 , was proof the Dawgs are starting to comprehend the "Lowery Doctrine" of 40 minutes of manic defense.

So thoroughly bewildered were the visiting Billikens by the speeding Salukis that they were stuck on 2 on the scoreboard after more than nine minutes into the contest.

While the Southern defense was holding sway, Lowery craftily used his reserves to good advantage. SIU's subs outscored SLU's 30-9 on the night. In fact, senior guard Brian Mullins commented that it really didn't make much difference which five men SIU had out there at any one time.

Carlton Fay led the Dawgs with 17, including a perfect 12 for 12 at the line. Kevin Dillard had nine off the bench, followed by Christian Cornelius (7) and Wes Clemmons (6).

Southern led 24-16 at intermission, but the Bills crept to within 24-20 in the early going of the second half. From there on out it was all Salukis. Southern led by 23 at one point partially propelled by a 27 for 31 (.871) performance from the free throw line.

Senior guards Kevin Lisch (13) and Tommie Liddell III (12) paced the Billikens who dropped to 2-4 on the year.

SIU posted a 30-24 edge on the boards. Fay had 6 for Southern while Liddell III led SLU with 5.

Snapshot highlights of the night: 1.) Wesley Clemmons buzzer beater to end the first half. 2). Kevin Dillard's laser pass for an assist 3) Christian Cornelius' slick drive for a left handed lay-up 4.) Three Dawg pileup at midcourt pursuing loose ball.

Next up for the Salukis: Charlotte comes calling at the Arena on Saturday for a 1:05 game.

That's tonight's VIEW FROM ROW TWO.

Photo Credit- SIU sports information dept