Cook scores 20, Southern Illinois beats Illinois-Springfield

Nov 19, 2017, 04:32 am

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Aaron Cook hit three 3-pointers and finished with 20 points and Kavion Pippen had 11 points, seven rebounds and three blocks to help Southern Illinois hold on for a 69-64 win over Division II Illinois-Springfield on Saturday night.

Eric McGill added 13 points and Jonathan Wiley scored nine with eight rebounds for Southern Illinois (2-0).

Vince Walker and Eddie Longmeyer hit back-to-back 3-pointers to give Illinois-Springfield its only lead, 58-57, with 3:15 to play. McGill answered with a 3 to spark a 9-2 run that made it 66-60 on a dunk by Cook with 36 seconds left and the Salukis held on from there.

Gilwan Nelson scored 24 points and Longmeyer had 17 points, 14 rebounds, and three steals for Illinois-Springfield.

Southern Illinois made more free throws (16) than the Prairie Dogs attempted (13).