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Southern Illinois aims for 11th straight win

Feb 24, 2007 - 5:40 PM Evansville (14-15) at No. 14 So. Illinois (24-5) 8:37 pm EST

CARBONDALE, Illinois (Ticker) -- With a conference title already wrapped up, Southern Illinois hopes to continue moving full steam ahead.

The 14th-ranked Salukis go in search of their 11th consecutive win Saturday when they welcome in Evansville for a Missouri Valley Conference matchup.

Southern Illinois (24-5, 14-3 MVC) won the regular-season conference championship outright with Wednesday's 58-50 triumph over Indiana State.

Seniors Tony Young and Jamaal Tatum each scored 15 points for the Salukis, who are an eye-popping 52-1 at home against league opponents since the 2001-02 season.

"That's what your seniors are supposed to do," Southern Illinois coach Chris Lowery said. "It was good to see them come here and play inspired and emotional, just wanting to win."

Jason Holsinger scored a career-high 29 points but it was not enough as the Aces fell, 82-79, to Drake on Wednesday. Holsinger made eight 3-pointers in the loss, tying for the seventh-most in program history.

Evansville (14-15, 6-11) has lost 16 of last 19 matchups with Southern Illinois, including five straight here.