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Southern Illinois faces Chattanooga in Anaheim Classic

Nov 22, 2007 - 2:31 PM No. 18 Southern Illinois (1-0) vs. Chattanooga (1-1) 4:00 pm EST

ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) - No. 18 Southern Illinois has never lost to Chattanooga. The Salukis hope to continue that streak on Thursday in the inaugural Anaheim Classic.

Southern Illinois is coming off an 88-68 victory over Northern Illinois. The Salukis came out flying in the game, scoring the first 17 points. Southern Illinois didn't allow a point until 10:12 was remaining in the first half.

Salukis' point guard Bryan Mullins scored 15 of his game-high 16 points in the first half. The scoring total matched his career high, as did his nine assists.

Freshman guard Brandon Wood finished with 15 points and three steals in 27 minutes, more than expected due to injuries to veteran guards Wesley Clemmons (ankle injury) and Joshua Bone (cramps).

The Mocs haven't played since a 99-79 loss November 12 to No. 8 Indiana. Chattanooga is 3-37 against ranked opponents, including a 2-11 mark on neutral courts.

The Mocs have four players in double figures in the early going - junior guard Stephen McDowell (17.0 ppg), junior forward Nicchaeus Doaks (14.5) along with senior guard Kevin Bridgewaters and senior forward Marcus Watts, both at 11 points per game.

The two teams haven't meet since the championship game of the 1989 Coca-Coca Classic, a 95-78 Southern Illinois victory.

The winner of Thursday's game will face the Mississippi State-UC Irvine winner in one of two semifinals on Friday.