EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- Mike Rodriguez nailed 3 of 5 from long distance to total 20 points and lead Southern Illinois to a 73-61 win over Evansville on Saturday.
The teams traded punches until the Salukis broke away in the second part of the final period.
Southern Illinois' Thik Bol, who finished with 12 points, opened the game with a dunk and the Salukis took a 33-31 lead into the half. They opened the second period on an 8-3 run to go up 41-34 at the 17:56 mark. The Aces answered with a 9-2 run to tie and took a 47-45 lead after Dru Smith drilled a 3 midway in the second half.