CARBONDALE, Ill. (AP) — Davonte Drinkard had a team-high 17 points as Southern Illinois pulled away late to beat Division II William Jewel 78-66 in an exhibition game on Saturday night.
Drinkard was 7-of-9 from the floor and went 3-3 from the line. Other top scorers for the Salukis were Sean O’Brien with 13 and Jalen Pendleton and Desmar Jackson who both came off the bench to chip in 12 points each.
The Salukis took an early lead and never looked back. But William Jewel — down by as many as 13 — rallied and ultimately tied the score at 10:15 in the second period with a layup by Devonte Bell. Bell finished the game with 14 points. Teammate Dwight Sistrunk led the Cardinals with 15.
The Salukis stormed back with a 13-6 run in the final 3:02 to widen the gap again and win with a 12-point margin.
