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Drake defeats Southern Illinois 57-54

Sports

January 22nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

CARBONDALE, Ill. (AP) – Aaron Hawley scored 19 points and Richard Carter added 12 as Drake snapped a five-game losing streak with a 57-54 victory over Southern Illinois on Wednesday night.  Desmar Jackson scored 15 points for the Salukis (6-14, 2-5 Missouri Valley). Tyler Smithpeters added 12 points as did Sean O’Brien, who also had 11 rebounds.

Southern Illinois trailed 32-23 at the half and by 13 with 9:22 left in the game after Jordan Daniels was fouled and made three free throws. But Jackson led the Salukis back, scoring 11 points in a 17-4 run that tied the game at 52 with 59 seconds left. Aaron Hawley responded with a 3-pointer for Drake (11-8, 2-5) before Smithpeters’ basket made it 55-54 with 9 seconds left. Richard Carter sank two free throws for Drake with 8 seconds remaining and Dawson Verhines missed a 3-pointer for SIU to end the game.