Bryson, Vaughn Lead Salukis To 93-47 Victory Over Northern For Second Place Title In IIAC
By Ron Jacober Sports Editor
Led by the two greatest scorers in Southern Illinois University history. Charlie Vaughn and Seymour Bryson, the Saluki cagers marched to an easy 93-74 IIAC win over the Huskies of Northern Illinois University last Saturday in the Men’s Gym.
The victory brought Southerns IIAC mark to 9-3 for the season which was good enough for
second place finish behind Illinois Normal who Finished with a 10-2 mark, and if it hadn't been for an early season forfeit to Western Illinois, Southern would have been tied for the title.
Seymour Bryson, senior captain playing in his last home, game, poured in 26 points as he bad one of his liner all-around games. Bryson drew a standing ovation from the overflow crowd as coach Gallatin removed the greatest scorer in SIU history with 30 seconds remaining in the game. Bryson has now tallied 1,398 points in his brilliant four year career for a new all - time Southern high.
Charlie Vaughn, a doubtful starter all day because of an ankle injury, displayed the form that made him one of the biggest point machines in pap basketball history., totaled 32 for the evening although he was handicapped because he couldn’t jump very well.
Sophomore Don Hepler also turned in one of his finest performances of the season as he chalked up 14 in the first half and 18 for the game.
The Salukis jumped off to a quick 21-8 lead as Dick Ruggles popped in a two pointer with seven minutes gone in the game. At the ten minute mark, Southern, behind the fantastic shooting of Vaughn, who hit six in a row from the field, led by a 28-11 count.
SIU hit a cold spell and the Huskies pulled within five at 38. 33 as Ron May, big 6-6 substitute center who had trouble walking much less playing basketball, made a layup.
from the Field.
Bryson and Florian combined for six points to give Southern a lead of 46-39 at intermission
Vaughn hit 8 for 15 from the
field’ the second half and totaled
18 points. Southern hit .417 from the Field.
Bryson Got Hot
The Huskies stuck within striking range of the Salukis in the second half until Vaughn and Bryson got hot and ended all doubts of the outcome.
Wyllie’s scoring tailed off in the last half as the Salukis moved to a 68-54 count with 10 minutes remaining in the final home contest.
Northern scored only eight points in the final five minutes of the game and Southern scored 15 for the final count of 93-74.
The victory gave Southern a 9-1 mark at home this season The Salukis have lost only two home games in the past two seasons.
Shot .432
The Salukis shot .432 from the field with 35 field goals in 85 attempts. Northern, who finished six in the conference, shot 411 from the floor. SIU finished the regular season with a 17-8 overall mark.