Saluki Trap Ties Up Gaels

And the first-round matchup between aspiring Gonzagas goes to ... Southern Illinois.

The Zags set the standard St. Mary’s would like to emulate in the West Coast Conference.

Half a continent away, Southern Illinois admires the same team.

“We’re trying to be the next Gonzaga,” Southern Illinois guard Darren Brooks said.

The Salukis (27-7) took one step toward their goal with a 65-56 victory over St. Mary’s on Friday in front of 18,567 in a Chicago Regional game at Ford Center. But between them and the Sweet 16 waits second-seeded Oklahoma State.

St. Mary’s (25-9) practiced for the Salukis’ trapping defense. But that is not the same as being prepared for it, and St. Mary’s turned the ball over 10 times in an 8 1/2 -minute stretch and fell behind, 24-9, in the first 12 minutes.

“It’s different in person,” said guard E.J. Rowland, who had three turnovers during a stretch of six turnovers by the Gaels. “They’re a lot quicker and more athletic than you can see on tape.”

St. Mary’s committed 20 turnovers in the game. It was the 11th time this season Southern Illinois has forced 20 or more turnovers, and the 18th time an opponent has scored fewer than 60 points.

The Gaels looked done for long before halftime, but they came back to tie the score, 47-47, with 6 1/2 minutes left in the game.

Reserve Brett Collins sparked the run, with 11 of his 13 points coming in the second half.

But Southern Illinois quickly made the lead six, and the Gaels were never closer than four again.

St. Mary’s Daniel Kickert, who made seven three-pointers in a loss to Gonzaga in the West Coast Conference tournament final, made only two of six against Southern Illinois.

“I just tried to keep sustained pressure on him and get to him quick when he caught the ball,” said Matt Shaw, the key defender on Kickert, who shot 48% from three-point range this season.

Kickert led St. Mary’s with 16 points and six rebounds but also had five turnovers.

“They played me pretty hard,” Kickert said. “It’s on me. I should have gone inside more.”

Paul Marigney of St. Mary’s finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds but had five turnovers and was one of six from three-point range. St. Mary’s made only four of 20 three-point shots.

Southern Illinois, after losing by one point in the first round each of the last two years, moves on. “I was watching TV last night, thinking, ‘Can’t lose, can’t lose,’ ” Brooks said. “That’s all that was going through my head.”

Oklahoma State 63, Southeastern Louisiana 50 -- Freshman guard JamesOn Curry scored 13 points to spur the Cowboys (25-6), who trailed the Lions (24-9) by three midway through the second half at Oklahoma City. Ivan McFarlin led Oklahoma State with 18 points.

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Associated Press contributed to this report.