S. Illinois fends off Indiana St. rally for 82-77 win
CARBONDALE, Ill. (AP) – Aaron Cook scored 25 points and Southern Illinois made 6 of 8 foul shots in the last 33 seconds and the Salukis held off Indiana State with an 82-77 win Wednesday night.
The Salukis went on a 16-4 run in the final 6:34 of the first half and led 41-29 at intermission. Kavion Pippen put Southern Illinois up 69-56 with 5:29 remaining before the Sycamores went on a 17-6 run and pulled within 75-73 with a minute left after Brandon Murphy threw down a dunk off his offensive rebound.
Armon Fletcher made a layup with 33 seconds left before Jordan Barnes added a pair of free throws for a 77-75 score before Southern Illinois (13-9, 5-4 Missouri Valley Conference) proceeded to end it from the line. Fletcher scored 17 points.
Jordan Barnes scored 23 points, Brenton Scott added 16, Qiydar Davis, 12 and Devin Thomas 11 for Indiana State (10-11, 5-4).