Evansville tops Southern Illinois 72-64

Feb 14, 2015, 06:32 pm

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- D.J. Balentine scored 15 points as five Purple Aces finished in double figures and Evansville topped Southern Illinois 72-64 on Saturday.

Balentine scored 10 of his points in the first half. Mislav Brzoja added 14 points, Jaylon Moore 13, Duane Gibson chipped in 12 and Egidijus Mockevicius finished with 10 for the Purple Aces (18-8, 8-6 Missouri Valley Conference). The team combined to shoot 56.3 percent (27 of 48) from the floor.

Jordan Caroline hit a pair of free throws and the Salukis trailed 56-55 with 6:19 remaining. Evansville answered with a 12-3 run -- with Brzoja and Balentine each scoring five -- and the Salukis (10-17, 3-11) could not recover.

Caroline led Southern Illinois with 13 points and 15 rebounds. Anthony Beane, Tyler Smithpeters and Deion Lavender all scored 11 points apiece for the Salukis.