S. Illinois 74, New Orleans 61

Dec 17, 2013, 10:34 pm

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Dantiel Daniels scored 20 points and Southern Illinois defeated New Orleans 74-61 Monday night.

Anthony Beane Jr. had 17 points, Jalen Pendleton scored 14 and Jeff Early had 12 points for the Salukis (6-2).

Lovell Cook led the Privateers (3-6) with 22 points. Corey Blake had 13 points and seven steals, and Rarlensee Nelson had 11 points and six assists.

SIU scored the game's first eight points, but New Orleans roared back to take a 26-13 lead with 6 1/2 minutes to play in the half. The Salukis followed that with a 17-2 run of their own with Beane's layup just before halftime giving them a 30-28 lead.

Both teams shot 59 percent from the field in the second half, but Southern Illinois never trailed after the break and its 13-point margin at the end matched its biggest lead of the game.