A trend of poor starts in the second half careened out of control for ºüÀêÊÓƵ University on Saturday afternoon at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.
The SLU defense had no answers for the Salukis, who made 18 3-pointers and shot 66% in a 101-62 win that saw a Billikens’ opponent reach triple digits for the first time since March 1992.
The margin of defeat was the most since an 81-40 loss to Kent State in the first season of the Rick Majerus era, 2007-08.
“Not a whole lot to say,†SLU coach Travis Ford said. “Give them credit and we stunk it up. That’s pretty much it.â€
Making matters worse for SLU (5-4) were injuries suffered by Mike Meadows, who was taken to a hospital for treatment, and Larry Hughes II.
SIUC (5-2) had a stretch in the second half when it made 20 of 24 shots, including eight straight 3-pointers. The Salukis made 18 of 29 3s for the game, the most ever allowed by SLU.
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The Billikens did not shoot well in any regard, making 43% of their shots overall, 22% of their 3s and only half of their 24 free throws.
“It snowballed and we didn’t have much fight,†Ford said. “What’s absolutely killing our team right now, and we knew this going in, is 50-50 balls. And timely rebounding is killing us. We never get 50-50 balls. They beat us speed wise and quickness wise and on big possessions. We’re lacking in that toughness and reaction we need.â€
SLU was down 15 points at halftime before SIUC started the second half with a 17-4 run and just kept building.
In the last home loss, to Utah State, the Billikens were outscored 17-5 to start the second half. Dartmouth outscored SLU 14-2.
Guard Xavier Johnson scored 31 points for the Salukis, making 11 of 15 shots with six 3s. His shooting and penetration opened things for other players, and he finished with seven assists.
Things got truly out of hand when SIUC made eight 3s in less than four minutes to lead by 42 points with 5:22 remaining.
“They made some tough ones, but (Johnson) is one of the best one-on-one players we’ve faced,†Ford said. “He got all of his 3s one-on-one. He made tough ones, and then we had to start playing him and he starts kicking it.â€
SLU entered the game with one of the strongest 3-point defenses in the country but saw that dismantled by five players who made at least three.
The 41-point margin was the largest in Ford’s tenure and came with SLU facing a road game Wednesday night against Drake, which was picked to win the Missouri Valley Conference. SIUC was picked ninth.
SLU didn’t help itself with 19 turnovers, which the Salukis turned into 29 points.
Among the high points for SLU was Kellen Thames, who had 10 points and 11 rebounds. Tim Dalger led the team with 16 points. Djordje Curcic played 19 solid minutes off the bench and hit a pair of 3s.
The Billikens also outrebounded SIUC 29-28 and grabbed 13 offensive rebounds, but none of those things helped keep the game competitive.
“We need everyone to step up,†Ford said. “Everybody is getting an opportunity to play. It’s their time — take advantage. Produce a little more.â€
NOTE: Story was updated at 9:50 p.m. to correct the final score.