February 21, 2007
Men’s Basketball
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SYCAMORES NEARLY FINISH OFF No. 13 SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

Box Score

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - The 13th ranked Southern Illinois University Salukis spoiled Senior Night for the ISU men’s basketball team, coming from behind in the second half to defeat Indiana State 58-50 Wednesday in Hulman Center in a Missouri Valley Conference game.

Indiana State scored just two points over an eight minute stretch of the second half as Southern Illinois rallied from a 36-31 deficit to lead 45-38 with 6:10 left. Marico Stinson broke the ISU drought as the Sycamores closed back to within five. ISU continued to fight their way back into the game and trailed by just four points, 54-50, with 30 seconds left on a Cole Holmstrom three pointer. However, Southern Illinois made their free throws down the stretch to hold on for the win.

The Sycamores battled the Salukis step for step in the first half with four ties and six lead changes. Indiana State used a 9-0 run ignited by a Gabe Moore three pointer to take a 92-2 lead early in the contest. The Salukis came back to tie the game at 12 with SIU moving on to a 15-12 advantage at the 8:50 mark.

Indiana State came back and retook the lead on a Marico Stinson jumper with 7:36 remaining in the first half. The last field goal of the opening half came with 3:53 left when SIU’s Bryan Mullins hit a three pointer to give the Salukis a 21-19 lead. It was all free throws from there, ISU making 8-of-8 and SIU 4-of-4, giving the Sycamores a 27-25 advantage at the intermission.

Stinson finished with 25 points to lead the Sycamores. He was the only Indiana State player in double figures as Mick Yelovich and Cole Holmstrom had seven each.

Indiana State fell to 12-16 overall and 5-12 in the Missouri Valley Conference with the loss. The Sycamores will be at Bradley on Saturday for their final regular season game. Tip-off is set for 8:05 p.m.

The game marked the final appearance in Hulman Center of seniors Trent Wurtz, Russell Trudeau, Adam Lottino, a walk-on from Terre Haute. Each player received a standing ovation as they were introduced with their family following the basketball game.