Southern Illinois rallies to beat Air Force 77-75

Nov 14, 2015, 12:15 am

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Mike Rodriguez scored 15 points and Southern Illinois overcame a 15-point second-half deficit to beat Air Force 77-75 Friday night in the season opener for both teams.

Air Force's Zach Moer made two free throws to push the Falcons' lead to 45-30 early in the second half. The Salukis used a 22-10 run to get back in the game when Anthony Beane scored a layup to cut the Air Force lead to 55-52.

Beane's 3-point jumper with 3:30 play put the Salukis on top for good making the score 66-63.

Tyler Smithpeters finished with 14 points, Bean chipped in 13 while Armon Fletcher added 10 for the Salukis.

Hayden Graham led the Falcons in scoring with 19 points on 7-for-8 shooting from the floor. Trevor Lyons added 18 for Air Force, who shot 4 for 20 from the 3-point line.