Evansville defeats Southern Illinois 75-69
CARBONDALE — D.J. Balentine scored a career-high 33 points, making 6 of 10 3-point attempts, to lead Evansville to a 75-69 win over Southern Illinois Saturday.
Evansville (8-9, 1-3 Missouri Valley), which snapped a 12-game losing streak at Carbondale, trailed 33-27 at the half and the lead changed nine times.
Balentine hit consecutive 3-pointers and Egidiju Mockevicius, who had 12 points and 10 rebounds, made a layup to tie the score at 35 at the 16:31 mark. Balentine hit another 3-pointer with 12:23 remaining in the game to give Evansville a 50-44 lead.
Desmar Jackson made a three-point play to give the Salukis a 52-51 lead with 8:43 left.
Adam Wing made a layup and Balentine hit another 3-pointer as Evansville retook the lead 56-52 and held on for the victory.
Mike Balogun led the Salukis with 15 points, Jackson added 13 and Anthony Beane had 10.