Hokies down at halftime
Posted Mar18, 2007 at 03:59 PM
Mark Berman here from Columbus, Ohio, where the Virginia Tech men's basketball team is down 28-20 at halftime to Southern Illinois in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
The Hokies have missed eight of their last 10 shots and are shooting just 37.5 percent from the field (9-of-24) in the half. Tech is 2-of-8 from 3-point range; A.D. Vassallo is 0-of-4 from 3-point range. Tech is 0-of-3 from the line.
SIU, ranked third in the nation in scoring defense, has held Tech to its fewest points in a half this season. Tech scored just 21 points in they first half Friday's first-round win over Illinois, only the second time it had scored just 21 in a half this season.
Tech led 18-15 on a Jamon Gordon 3-pointer with 5:49 to go, but the only other points it got in the half was a Gordon jumper with 2:27 left. The Salukis ended the half on a 13-2 run that included three 3-pointers by Missouri Valley Conference player of the year Jamaal Tatum.
SIU is shooting 41.7 percent from the field and is 5-of-10 from 3-point range.
Gordon is doing well offensively. He is 4-of-4 from the field - although 0-of-3 from the line - for nine points. Zabian Dowdell is 3-of-7 for six points. Deron Washington is 1-of-4 for three points. Coleman Coliins is 1-of-1.
Vassallo is 0-of-4 from the field. Lewis Witcher, who barely plays anymore, missed two shots in the final two minutes.
SIU's Randal Falker scored two if his three baskets after Collins went to the bench after picking up his second offensive foul with 7:59 to go in the half.
The Hokies have hurt themselves with seven turnovers after committing just nine in the entire Illinois win.Tatum has 11 points and Tony Young eight.
SIU is winning even though Matt Shaw, their third-leading scorer and second-leading rebounder this year, hasn't played because of a sprained ankle he suffered Friday.
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