SIUE Halts USD's 15-Game Win Streak

Box Score

February 7, 2009

          EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville men's basketball rallied from 17 points down Saturday night to drive past South Dakota 73-68.
          The victory halted South Dakota's 15-game winning streak. SIUE improved to 9-15 for the season while the Coyotes dropped to 18-6.
          "We did a good job of making plays down the stretch," said SIUE Coach Lennox Forrester.
          The Cougars were down by 17 after a 21-2 run midway through the first half. South Dakota nailed nine three-pointers in the first half and held a 44-34 lead at halftime.
          SIUE drew inspiration from 1,853 fans at the Vadalabene Center, who came to celebrate the re-dedication of the facility. It included the SIUE's first-ever men's basketball team in 1967-68.
          "Our guys picked it up in the second half," said Forrester.
          SIUE played an outstanding half of defense, holding South Dakota to 28.6 percent shooting in the second 20 minutes. After USD shot 64 percent from three-point range in the first half, SIUE's defense held USD to just 2 of 9 from beyond the arc in the second half.
          "We took away the three-pointers in the second half," said Forrester.
          The Cougars, often a problem for teams from three-point range, pounded the ball inside for 48 of their points. SIUE came back into the game behind 23 points from Mark Yelovich and 13 from Aaron Garriott.
          "We took it possession by possession to get back into the game," Forrester said.
          Nikola Bundalo led the Cougars inside with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
          South Dakota finished with four players in double figures. Jesse Becker led the Coyotes with 16 points. Jesse Becker hit four three-pointers for 12 points. Tyler Cain scored 12 points and led all players with 15 rebounds. Dylan Grimsley added 11 points.
          SIUE is now idle for 12 days before it heads north to play North Dakota on Feb. 19 and then make a return trip Feb. 21 at South Dakota.
                    -siue cougars-

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Players Mentioned

#12 Nikola Bundalo: C; 6' 10"; Sophomore

#3 Aaron Garriott: G; 6' 3"; Senior

#33 Mark Yelovich: F; 6' 5"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#12 Nikola Bundalo
: 6' 10"; Sophomore
: C

#3 Aaron Garriott
: 6' 3"; Senior
: G

#33 Mark Yelovich
: 6' 5"; Freshman
: F

Players Mentioned

#12 Nikola Bundalo

#3 Aaron Garriott

#33 Mark Yelovich

Players Mentioned

#12 Nikola Bundalo

#3 Aaron Garriott

#33 Mark Yelovich