By Tom Weber – siusalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois used two big runs in the second half to turn a three-point halftime lead into a 98-68 rout of Division II Rockhurst in exhibition action at SIU Arena on Saturday night.
The Salukis took full advantage of a size and strength advantage over their opponent, outscoring the Hawks, 44-26, in points in the paint. They also turned 21 Rockhurst turnovers into 33 points.
SIU newcomer Kavion Pippen scores on the post against the Rockhurst defender with Armon Fletcher (22) following the shot.
SIU’s Kavion Pippen was impressive in his first action as a Saluki with 23 points and eight rebounds. The 6-foot-10 junior college transfer was four inches taller and 25 pounds heavier than the biggest Hawks’ defender. He scored on a variety of post moves, converting 11-of-13 shots from the field and also blocking three shots.
Pippen keyed SIU’s 19-4 run to start the second half, scoring seven of the team’s first nine points. Working against freshman forward Quinton Curry, he was able to back his man down and then gently delivered a pair of layups over him. His final bucket during the run was a two-hand dunk off a pretty feed from point guard Aaron Cook.
The teams traded baskets until the Salukis went on another run, this time a 19-7 flurry that pushed the lead to 30 points. It started with a 3-pointer by Rudy Stradnieks and also featured a 3-pointer and a dunk by Armon Fletcher.
In addition to Pippen, four other players scored in double figures for SIU — Sean Lloyd (19), Fletcher (15), Stradnieks (11) and Eric McGill (10). McGill added six assists and five steals.
“(Our leading scorer) is going to change every game,” said SIU head coach Barry Hinson. “We have guys who are capable of going and getting 20, and one night they get five. I promise you they won’t be upset. I think they’ll be ok.”
Rockhurst got off to a fast start, leading 11-2 at the first media timeout. They didn’t relinquish the lead until 9:48 remaining in the first half when Lloyd had a steal and dunk to put Southern up, 28-27. The Salukis held a 39-36 advantage at halftime, causing a touch of angst in the home locker room.
“We challenged them a little bit at halftime,” Hinson said. “It wasn’t a Pentecostal tent revival or anything like that. We weren’t going nuts, but I mean we got after them a little bit, challenged them, and they answered the bell.”
Hinson preached defense during intermission and letting the offense come naturally.
“I didn’t panic at halftime,” he said. “I thought we’d get the jitters worked out. I’m really confident with this group. At halftime I was more upset about our defense than anything. I thought our offense would come.”
Indeed it did as Southern shot 62 precent from the field in the second half, including 4-of-8 from 3-point.
One of the themes for the team this year is “Floorburn U” — a reference to the program’s heyday of the mid-2000s when SIU was nationally known for its tenacious defense, hustling for loose balls and willingness to dive on the floor.
“I challenged them to be Floorburn U and I thought for the most part we were,” Hinson said. “I think our guys hit the floor tonight and went after it pretty good.”
Both teams played minus key players. Preseason All-Conference pick Thik Bol and guard Marcus Bartley were sidelined for SIU, while Rockhurt’s top-rerning player, forward Alex Hagen, also did not play. Rockhurst played seven freshmen, including two starters. SIU had three players suit up in a Saluki uniform for the first time — Pippen, McGill and Brendon Gooch.
“I do think we have depth for the first time in a long time,” Hinson said. “We don’t have it right now, but it’s on its way. That’s why I’m excited.”
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