17 March, 2007
by Elliot Smilowitz
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1st |
2nd |
Final |
| #13 Holy Cross (25-9) |
25 |
26 |
51 |
| #4 Southern Illinois (28-6) |
30 |
31 |
61 |
| Nationwide Arena – Columbus, OH |
Boxscore |
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Holy Cross saw their season come to a close, falling 61-51 to the Southern Illinois Salukis. In his final college game, Patriot League Player of the Year Keith Simmons scored 4 points and failed to hit a field goal.
Though Holy Cross trailed most of the game, they were able to stay close in a low-scoring affair. The Crusaders held an early lead, but lost it in the final moments of the first half as the Salukis scored 9 unanswered points to take the lead permanently. Southern Illinois’ first double-digit lead came inside the final two minutes.
Torey Thomas led all scorers with 15 points. However, he did it on 3-of-16 shooting from the floor, with 9 of his points coming from the free throw line. In addition, Thomas turned the ball over a game-high 7 times. Holy Cross’ top performer was actually Eric Meister, who came off the bench to score 14 points on 6-of-6 shooting and grabbed 8 rebounds.
Southern Illinois was led by Tony Boyle’s 14 points off the bench. Randal Falker scored 12 points from the center position. Matt Shaw added 11, all in the first half before an injury knocked him out (Boyle took his spot in the second half), and Jamaal Tatum pitched in 10.
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| Keys to the Game |
| Key sequence |
With 4:55 left in the first half, Simmons put the Crusaders ahead 19-17. Ten seconds later, Falker hit a basket that tied the game and sparked a 9-0 Saluki run. Beginning with the Falker bucket, Southern Illinois scored points on six consecutive possessions, much of the run coming with Tim Clifford on the bench.
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| Key sign it was over |
The Crusaders were still in striking distance in the final minutes. Holy Cross had the ball down 56-47 when, with 1:25 left, Meister committed an offensive foul. Tatum went to the line and hit a pair of free throws. On Holy Cross’ next possession, Kyle Cruze fired a three that missed, and Boyle got the rebound and was fouled. He hit 1 of 2 free throws to make it a 59-47 game with 1:15 left. From there, it was academic.
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| Key performance |
The athletic Falker had his way with the Crusader front line, scoring 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting and adding 8 rebounds, 2 steals and a block. The entire Holy Cross frontcourt struggled with fouls, enabling Falker to be more assertive.
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| Key statistic |
All-Patriot League First Teamers Simmons and Thomas went a combined 3-for-21 from the floor, and 0-for-6 from the three-point line.
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| Notes |
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Southern Illinois outscored Holy Cross 24-11 in points off turnovers.
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The Crusaders actually outrebounded the Salukis 30-28. Holy Cross only managed 7 second-chance points off 11 offensive boards.
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Both teams struggled mightily from the arc. Holy Cross hit 1 of 11 three attempts, while the Salukis shot 2-of-12 from the arc.
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The Salukis go on to face Virginia Tech on Sunday with a trip to the Sweet Sixteen on the line. For the Crusaders, Simmons and Thomas’ careers are done. |
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