EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (AP) — Christian Salecich scored 16 points and Rozell Nunn added 18 on Monday and SIU Edwardsville beat Texas-Pan American 55-49.
Free throws and 3-pointers made the difference — SIU-Edwardsville (2-6) was outshot by Texas-Pan American (4-6) 35.2 percent from the field to 32.7 percent, but scored six 3-pointers to their three and 17 free throws to their eight.
Shaquille Boga scored a game-high 17 points for Texas-Pan American and Javorn Farrell added 15.
The Broncs led on a 15-5 run, then Nunn drained a 3-pointer at 7:37, sparking a 17-3 run to give the Cougars a 22-18 edge at halftime.
Texas-Pan American clawed back, took the lead, lost it, then got it back 44-43 on a layup by Boga. But the Cougars took advantage of Broncs fouls, scoring seven free throws down the stretch punctuated by another Nunn 3-pointer and a dunk by Salecich to clinch the win.