Game 19 ► Southern Illinois (8-10, 3-4 MVC) at Indiana State (4-14, 2-5 MVC)

January 21, 2009  ►  7:05 p.m. ET  ►  Terre Haute, Ind.  ►  Hulman Center (10,200)

Game Day Central

Series:             Southern Illinois Leads 75-36

STREAK:        SIU Won Last 3 Of 4 Games

Radio:              The Crock 92.7 FM

Play-By-Play:  Brian Fritz

Analyst:           Matt Renn

Internet:           GoSycamores.com

Storylines     

            Indiana State (4-14, 2-5 MVC) will break up a stretch of three out of four games on the road with a home game tonight against Southern Illinois (8-10, 3-4 MVC).  Tip off is set for 7:05 p.m. EST on Nellie & John Wooden Court at Hulman Center.

            The Sycamores are coming off a wild 63-57 defeat on the road at Evansville on Saturday night.  The Sycamores fell behind 18-0 before ISU eventually ended the scoring drought at the 9:24 mark of the first half.  Both teams also battled foul trouble throughout the contest, as both teams combined for 57 fouls during the game.

            Junior Rashad Reed led the way for the Sycamores with 12 points and redshirt freshman Jordan Printy chipped in with 11 for the Sycamores.  Freshman Carl Richard also had a big day, as he recorded his third double-double in seven Valley games, scoring 10 points and grabbing 12 rebounds for ISU.

            Winners of two of their last three games, the Salukis handed the league-leading Bradley Braves a 68-62 loss Sunday night in Carbondale, Ill.

            The margin of victory for the Salukis understated their performance. SIU led by as many as 21 points in the second half and was coasting down the stretch with a 14-point lead, until a Bradley flurry in the last 90 seconds cut the deficit to single digits.

            All five starters scored in double figures for Southern Illinois, as Tony Boyle and Kevin Dillard shared game-high honors with 13 points apiece.

            Southern Illinois leads the all-time series between the two schools 75-39, with the Salukis winning the last three out of four games between the two squads and 13 out of the last 15 games all together.

            The two teams split the season series last year, with each team winning on its home floor.  ISU pulled out a thrilling 64-62 double overtime win over the Salukis on Jan. 12, 2008.  Bryan Mullins connected from on a three-pointer to put SIU up one point with 12 seconds left in the second overtime, but Marico Stinson connected on his fourth three-pointer of the game with two seconds left to give ISU a 64-62 win.

About The Coaches

Kevin McKenna (Creighton ?93) is in his second season as the head coach at Indiana State (19-30).  In his first season with the Sycamores, McKenna led the team to its highest win total since the 2000-01 season and an impressive 12-2 record at home in the Hulman Center.  McKenna came to Indiana State after spending nine seasons as an assistant coach at Creighton under head coach Dana Altman, where he helped the Bluejays advance to four NCAA tournament appearances.  From 2001-05, McKenna spent four years as the head coach (89-33) at NCAA Division II Nebraska-Omaha, where he guided the Mavericks to four consecutive 20-win seasons and three appearances in the NCAA Division II Tournament. 

Chris Lowery (Southern Illinois ?95) is in his 5th season as the head coach at his alma mater (104-51), his only stop as a head coach.  In each of his five season, the Salukis have made five straight post-season appearances including four-straight NCAA Tournament appearances from 2004-07 and a Sweet 16 berth in 2007.  Last season, he led the team to an 18-15 overall record and an NIT berth.  The 2005 and 2007 Rawlings MVC Coach of the Year, Lowery spent three seasons as an assistant coach on Bruce Weber's staff at SIU and Illinois before taking over head coaching duties. 

Scouting The Salukis

►        Southern Illinois University is located in Carbondale, Ill., and has an enrollment of 20,673 students.  The Salukis are members of the Missouri Valley Conference and play their home games at SIU Arena (9,409).

►        The Salukis finished with an overall record of 18-15 during the 2007-08 season.  In conference play, Southern Illinois posted a 11-7 record which placed the Salukis third in the league standings.  Their season ended with a 65-51 loss to Arizona State in the second round of the MasterCard National Invitational Tournament (NIT).

►        The Salukis return two starters and five lettermen from last year's squad.  Freshman guard Kevin Dillard has been a standout in his first season for SIU, averaging 12.7 points per game, including a .500 shooting mark from three point range (35-for-70).  Sophomore Carlton Fay is also averaging double figures for the Salukis with 11.4 points per game and 4.7 rebounds per contest.

►        The SIU offense runs through its senior point guard Bryan Mullins.  Mullins leads the MVC and ranks 18th in the nation in assists with 6.0 apg. In the last four games, Mullins has 27 assists and three turnovers. Mullins tied the school single-game record for assists with 13 against UMass on Nov. 12. He also leads the MVC in assist-turnover ratio (3.5-1).

Last Time Against The Salukis

CARBONDALE, Ill. ? Indiana State headed into Tuesday night's game at Southern Illinois looking to earn a season sweep over SIU.  However, the Sycamores (10-12, 5-7 MVC) maintain a halftime lead and eventually fell to the Salukis (12-11, 7-5 MVC) in front of 4,311 fans at SIU Arena.

            SIU took an early 8-2 lead in the game and eventually widened that lead to eight points at 15-7 with 12:32 left to play on a layup by Matt Shaw.  SIU maintained its lead and led 21-12 with 7:55 left in the half after a made free throw by Tyrone Green.  However, the Sycamores cut the lead to five points on just one play, as sophomore Marico Stinson was fouled as he made a three-pointer and then hit his free throw attempt to cut the lead to 21-16 with 7:39 left on the clock.  Soon after, though, the game was stopped due to inclement weather conditions in Carbondale and both teams returned to the locker room early.

            When the teams returned to the court, it was ISU who scored first on a three-pointer by Stinson to cut the SIU lead to two points at 21-19.  The lead was then cut to just one point at 21-20 after a free throw by sophomore Harry Marshall with 5:59 left to play in the half.  The Salukis then scored the next five points to take a 26-20 lead, which was capped off by a three-pointer by Shaw.                After Indiana State took a brief lead, SIU regained the lead at 29-28 after a free throw from Carlton Fay.  Junior Adam Arnold then hit two free throws to give the Sycamores a 30-29 lead with 1:59 left.  SIU quickly got the lead back after a jumper by Falker, but a three-pointer by Stinson put the Sycamores up 33-31 with 1:16 left to play.  A jumper by Marshall later put ISU up 35-31, before Falker hit a jumper at the buzzer to send the game to halftime with ISU up 35-33.

            The Salukis came out firing in the second half and started with a 10-0 run, sparked by six-straight points from Bryan Mullins, to take a 43-35 lead. SIU then went on a 9-1 run to widen its lead to 52-41, before ISU answered with six-straight points to cut the lead to 52-47 on a three-pointer by Stinson with 10:22 left in the game.  The Salukis maintained a single-digit lead over the next four minutes and led by six points at 60-54, before a three-point play by Jay Tunnell cut the lead to three points at 60-57 with 5:40 left on the clock.  SIU answered with an 11-4 run to widen the lead to 71-61 on a layup by Shaw with 3:09 left and held on for a 80-69 win over the Sycamores.

McKenna To Go Barefoot For Samaritan's Feet

Indiana State basketball head coach Kevin McKenna will coach his team's game tonight against Southern Illinois barefoot in order to raise awareness for Samaritan's Feet, a non-profit organization dedicated to changing lives through Shoes of Hope distributions around the world. In conjunction with Samaritan's Feet, McKenna and countless other coaches across the country have set a goal of raising one million shoes to be distributed in both the United States and overseas.

Board Certified

The Sycamores were minus-4.8 in rebounding margin in 11 games during

non-conference play. However, the team has made a bit of a comeback in Valley play, as they are currently out-rebounding opponents in the league by nearly a rebound per game (243 to 238).

Double Trouble

Freshman Carl Richard has recorded three double-doubles in seven games during league action. On Saturday at Evansville, the Chicago native scored 10 points and grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds to record the third double-double. He also owns double-doubles against Illinois State (14 pts./12 reb.) and UNI (15 pts./11reb.).

Newcomers Step Up To The Plate

With junior Harry Marshall missing from the lineup due to a hamstring injury, several ISU newcomers have had to step up. Junior transfer Rashad Reed led the way in two games last week scoring 12.0 points per game while pulling down 3.5 rebounds per game. Redshirt freshman Jordan Printy scored 10.5 points per contest last week and added 3.5 rebounds per game himself. Last but not least, freshman Carl Richard recorded his third double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds at Evansville.

Cutter Makes His Return

Freshman point guard Tyler Cutter returned to the lineup after missing six games due to an ankle injury and played 13 minutes, recording a rebound and an assist against Bradley last Tuesday night at Hulman Center.  Cutter suffered the injury in practice prior to the team's game Dec. 23 at IUPUI.

Extra Time Pays Dividends

Indiana State is no stranger to winning games in overtime, as seen in the team's thrilling 75-70 win over Illinois State.  In fact, the Sycamores have won their last five games in a row when needing extra time including a perfect 4-0 mark under head coach Kevin McKenna.  All four of those wins have come against Valley opponents as well, with wins over Southern Illinois (2 OT) and Wichita State last year and a win at UNI (2 OT) and against Illinois State this season.  That last time ISU lost in overtime was on Dec. 2, 2006, when ISU dropped a 73-70 decision to in-state rival Ball State under head coach Royce Waltman. 

Spreading The Wealth

The Sycamores needed help from everyone on the floor in order to pull out a 75-70 win in overtime against Illinois State.  In all, six Indiana State players scored in double figures marking the first time since 1999 a Sycamore team had achieved that feat.  Jordan Printy (15 pts.), Carl Richard (14 pts.), Harry Marshall (12 pts.), Aaron Carter and Rashad Reed (11 pts. Each) and Jay Tunnell (10 pts.) all chipped in double figures to help the Sycamores to their second conference win of the season on Saturday against the Redbirds.  The last six-pack of Sycamores who scored in double figures included Matt Renn (16 pts.), Matt Broermann (15 pts.), Kelyn Block (13 pts.), Michael Menser (11 pts.) and Nate Green and Terence Avery (10 pts. each) against Montana State at the Top Of The World Classic on Nov. 20, 1999, in Fairbanks, Alaska.

What A Difference A Game Makes

Freshman Jordan Printy struggled in his home state against Drake, as he finished the game 0-for-8 from the field against the Bulldogs.  However, the Marion, Iowa, native bounced back well last against Illinois State, tying a career high with 15 points on a perfect shooting night for the Sycamores.  Printy finished 4-for-4 from the field, including a 3-for-3 effort from three point range, and was a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line.

Missed It By That Much

Senior Jay Tunnell has been one of the Sycamores most consistent scorers and rebounders this season, as he is averaging 10.6 points and 6.4 rebounds per contest.  Against Drake, Tunnell just missed out on his fifth career double-double as he grabbed a season-high 10 rebounds but tallied just nine points for the Sycamores.  Then, against Illinois State, Tunnell just missed out again with 10 points and nine rebounds against the Redbirds.  Tunnell had two double-double performances as a junior during the 2007-08 season and two during his sophomore campaign in 2006-07.

Martin Takes A Bite Out Of The Bulldogs

Sophomore Isiah Martin has struggled at times offensively this season, but he showed his scoring ability on the road against Drake.  Martin led the way for the Sycamores with a game-high 12 points, including a stretch in which he scored four consecutive buckets for the Sycamores. 

Blocks-A-Plenty Against The Aces

The long arms of Indiana State's post defenders were busy on Sunday against Evansville, as the Sycamores racked up 11 blocked shots against their in-state rivals from the south.  The 11 blocks by the Sycamores were just one short of the team's single-game record of 12, which was set in 1984 against SIU-Edwardsville.  Forward Isiah Martin, who led the Missouri Valley Conference last season in blocked shots with 59, had a season-high five swats to lead the way while center Brant Leitnaker chipped in with two of his own.  Forward Jay Tunnell, center Josh Crawford and guards Rashad Reed and Jordan Printy each added a block apiece to round out the defensive effort for the Sycamores against the Aces.

Shutting Down The Three

Evansville came into the Hulman Center on Jan. 4 averaging 71.2 points per game and nearly four three-pointer per contest.  However, the Sycamores shut down the Purple Aces' scoring from the perimeter, as Evansville finished 0-for-6 from three-point range against the Sycamores.  It marked the first time all season the Sycamores had held an opponent without a made three-pointer and it was the first time Evansville did not connect on a trey in 13 games.  Sharpshooter Jason Holsinger was 0-for-4 from three-point land for the Aces, while Shy Ely and Kaylon Williams each missed on their only attempts of the day.

Leitnaker Earns First Career Start

Redshirt sophomore center Brant Leitnaker has battled injuries throughout his time at Indiana State and has played in just 18 games in three years on campus.  However, his size in the post was needed against Northern Iowa and the Lancaster, Ohio, native was put into the starting lineup for the first time in his career to match up with UNI big man Jordan Eglseder.  Leitnaker scored the team's first two points of the game, which turned out to be his only of the contest, and grabbed a rebound in 14 minutes of action.  In addition, he helped hold the 7-foot-1 Eglseder to just four points in 18 minutes of action after coming in averaging a team-high 12.6 per game.

McKenna Remains Unbeaten In Valley Openers

In each of his two seasons on the bench at Indiana State, head coach Kevin McKenna's teams have opened Missouri Valley Conference play on the road.  In those two contests, the Sycamores have earned big wins in both after the Sycamores defeated Northern Iowa in double overtime 85-84 on Sunday in Cedar Falls.  Last season, ISU opened Valley play with a 70-56 win at Evansville on Dec. 29 to pick up its lone conference road win of the season.

Double Overtime ... No Sweat

Indiana State's 85-84 double-overtime win at Northern Iowa was its second such win in two seasons.  Last year, the Sycamores defeated Southern Illinois 64-62 in double overtime on Jan. 12 at the Hulman Center thanks to a 3-pointer by Marico Stinson.

JP For Three

Redshirt freshman Jordan Printy had a breakout day against IUPUI at Conseco Fieldhouse, connecting on a career-high five three pointers to finish with 15 points.  The Marion, Iowa, native was 5-for-7 from beyond the arch in the game and added two rebounds and a blocked shot in a career-high 25 minutes of action against the Jaguars.  Printy's previous career high was eight points, which he set earlier this season against Murray State.

Kentucky Brings Out The Best In Cutter, Leitnaker

Freshman point guard Tyler Cutter and sophomore center Brant Leitnaker enjoyed playing over the weekend at the Marques Maybin Classic, as both set new career highs on the historic floor of Freedom Hall.  Cutter played a strong game against No. 11 Louisville, as he scored a career-high eight points in 24 minutes of action.  He followed that up by dishing out a career-high eight assists against Lamar to help the team win its first game of the season.  Leitnaker also had a career effort against Louisville, as he scored a career-high nine points while tying his career high with five rebounds in 15 minutes of action against the Cardinals.

Dialed In From Long Distance

Against Murray State, the Sycamores made a season-high 12 three-pointers score 36 of the team's 61 total points.  Redshirt freshman Keenan Barlow led the way with a 3-for-4 effort to end up with a career-high 11 points, while fellow redshirt freshman Jordan Printy, senior Jay Tunnell, junior Rashad Reed and sophomore Aaron Carter each added two treys against the Racers.

Honoring A True Sycamore Legend

Prior to the start of lSU's first exhibition game against Albion College, the floor at Hulman Center will officially be named the Nellie and John Wooden Court in honor of the legendary coach and his late wife, Nellie.  Prior to achieving legendary success as the head coach at UCLA, Wooden began his collegiate coaching career and served two years as head men's basketball coach, baseball coach and athletics director at Indiana State from 1946 to 1948. While earning his master's degree at Indiana State, he compiled a 44-15 record as basketball coach while leading the Sycamores to post-season tournament appearances each year and two conference championships.  In addition, coach Wooden will also be inducted into the Missouri Valley Conference Athletics Hall of Fame in March.