S. Illinois 65, Evansville 56

Feb 13, 2013, 10:41 pm

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Jeff Early scored 14 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and Southern Illinois won for only the third time since the calendar turned to 2013 with a 65-56 victory over Evansville on Wednesday night.

Southern Illinois (10-15, 3-11 Missouri Valley), which is only 3-10 since the New Year, shot 46.7 percent from the floor and saw its bench outscore Evansville's bench 26-9. Jalen Pendleton and Anthony Beane Jr. were a part of that bench, scoring 12 points apiece.

The Salukis led 31-30 at halftime but used a 17-4 run to begin the second half capped off by an Early 3-pointer to make it 48-34 with 11:11 remaining in the contest.

Colt Ryan scored 21 points on 7-of-15 shooting including five 3-pointers and grabbed four rebounds to lead Evansville (14-12, 7-7), which beat the Salukis 85-68 in the previous meeting Jan. 5.

Troy Taylor had 10 points, five rebounds, four assists and four steals for the Purple Aces.