Southern Illinois rallies past Northern Iowa 68-66

Jan 14, 2014, 10:33 pm

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Desmar Jackson hit a go-ahead jumper with six seconds left and blocked the ensuing layup attempt to complete Southern Illinois' 68-66 come-from-behind victory over Northern Iowa Tuesday night.

Northern Iowa (9-8, 3-2 Missouri Valley Conference) used a 28-7 run to race out to a 36-19 lead in the first half.

The Salukis (6-12, 2-3) stormed back from a late 64-52 deficit as Sean O'Brien hit a 3-pointer and Jackson converted a three-point play to tie the game at 66 with 1:10 left.

After a Davante Drinkard block, Jackson sank a jumper and blocked Deon Mitchell in the final seconds. Chip Rank's putback couldn't find the net either.

Southern Illinois shot 46.2 percent, closing the game on a 16-2 surge. Jackson finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds, O'Brien had 15 points and Anthony Beane added 14.

The Panthers were led by Seth Tuttle with 24 points and nine rebounds.