The Southern Illinois University Salukis hung on for a 75-73 victory over the University of Northern Iowa men's basketball squad on Saturday (JAN 2, 2016) night at SIU Arena.

SIU senior guard Anthony Beane Jr. posted a game-high 32 points on 11-of-17 shooting from the floor, including 6-of-10 from three-point range in the triumph. The Salukis improve to 13-2 overall and 2-0 in Missouri Valley Conference play.

UNI falls to 9-6 overall and 1-1 in league play. The Panthers were led by senior guard Wes Washpun with 19 points. Paul Jesperson knocked in 14 points and grabbed a team-best seven rebounds.

SIU led by as many as 12 points with 9:06 left in the game. The Salukis still held an 11-point lead at 70-59 with 1:35 left before the Panthers rallied and trimmed the lead to a single-digit at 73-72 with 11.1 seconds remaining.

Down 73-69 with 13.3 seconds left, Washpun made a free throw, missed the second and Jesperson put in the rebound to slice the lead to one. But SIU inbounded the pass and Beane leaked out for a dunk and his final bucket of the game.

SIU fouled Jesperson with 1.7 left. Jesperson made the first free throw, missed the second on purpose but the Panthers were unable to corral the loose ball and the buzzer sounded.

UNI will stay on the road and travel to Springfield, Mo., on Wednesday for a matchup against the Missouri State Bears. Tip is set for 7 p.m. at JQH Arena.

NOTES:

  • UNI had made at least one 3-pointer in 510 straight games - the longest streak in the MVC.
  • Wyatt Lohaus reached double-figure scoring for the second team this season with 11 points.
  • SIU made a season-high 13 three-pointers (the most ever in the Barry Hinson era at SIU).
  • Head coach Ben Jacobson is 14-7 all-time against SIU.

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