Dec. 9, 2009

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By Jeff Honza
Southeast Missouri State Sports Information

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Tony Freeman scored a career-high 26 points to lead four starters in double figures, as Southern Illinois University (4-2) ran away with a 86-65 win over Southeast Missouri State (3-7) Wednesday night at the Show Me Center.

Southeast and SIU met for the 112th time overall and first since the 2004-05 season. The Redhawks and Salukis played in front of a crowd of 3,550, Southeast's largest home attendance in three home dates this year.

"Hats off to Southern Illinois University. They are a very impressive basketball team," said Southeast head coach Dickey Nutt. "They are strong, physical and a well-coached team."

Southeast trailed, 17-10, with just under 13 minutes to play in the first half when SIU went on a 15-2 run over a 6:45 span to take a 32-12 lead at the 6:12 mark.

Anthony Booker and Justin Bocot threw down dunks on back-to-back possessions to start the surge, as all but three of the Salukis points during that run came via a layup or dunk.

SIU would lead by as many as 26 points before owning a comfortable 44-21 lead at the intermission.

"I was disappointed in our team tonight," said Nutt. "Everything from effort to energy to body language was poor in the first 10 minutes."

The Salukis shot 60 percent (18-of-30) from the field and overpowered Southeast, 26-6, inside the paint during the opening stanza. SIU also scored 20 points off 14 Redhawks turnovers.

Southeast shot much better in the second half, where it outscored SIU, 44-42.

The Redhawks knocked down 19-of-34 field goals for a 55.9 percent clip and turned the ball over just six times.

After going scoreless in the first half, Anthony Allison heated up to sink 6-of-12 field goals and 2-of-4 free throws for a game-high 15 points.

SIU, which built its biggest lead of the night at 77-41 on Nick Evans' free throw with 7:51 left to play, fell victim to a 12-5 run in the final 4:07.

Five Redhawks, including Allison, Eric McCrary, LaQuentin Miles, Lucas Nutt and Johnny Hill contributed during that stretch which ended in the 86-65 loss.

Freeman shot 10-of-15 from the field and 6-of-11 at the free throw line to key his career night. He also grabbed three rebounds and dished out two assists.

Evans followed with 15 points, while Kevin Dillard fell four rebounds shy of a triple-double. Dillard scored 11 points, had 10 assists, pulled down six rebounds and gathered five steals.

Carlton Fay rounded out SIU's double-digit scorers with 11 points in his first start of the season.

"They were clicking on all cylinders. They executed very well defensively," commented Nutt. "I was very impressed with Tony Freeman."

McCrary led all Southeast scorers with a career-high 13 points in 13 minutes off the bench. He shot a near-perfect 6-of-7 from the field and had four rebounds, as well.

Allison shot 6-of-12 from the field and 2-of-4 from the free throw line. He made 6-of-9 field goals in the second half alone en route to scoring double figures for a team-high seventh time in 10 starts this season.

In addition, LaMont Russell led the Redhawks with 10 rebounds.

The Salukis shot a season-best 56.1 percent (32-of-57) from the field. It marked the third time in six games, where SIU shot 50 percent or better. In addition, SIU finished with 26 assists and seven blocks.

Meanwhile, Southeast struggled at the free throw line, making just 9-of-24 shots for a mere 37.5 percent.

"We have to make our free throws and 9-of-24 isn't going to cut it," said Nutt. "It was an absolute lack of focus and concentration. That's the attention to detail that I'm disappointed with."

The Salukis have won 12 of their last 13 meetings with the Redhawks. In addition, Southeast lost for the 12th-straight time at home, dropping to 0-3 at the Show Me Center this year.

Southeast returns to action when it hosts Williams Baptist Saturday. Tip-off is set for 7:45 p.m., CT, at the Show Me Center.