ST. THOMAS, Virgin Islands (AP) — Steven Verplancken Jr. scored 18 points and Marcus Domask scored 17 and Southern Illinois beat Colorado 67-63 Friday night in an opening-round game of the Paradise Jam.
Lance Jones scored 14 for the Salukis (2-1) which made 41.4% (12 for 21) from 3-point range.
Colorado built a 12-1 lead but Southern Illinois used a pair of outbursts and went to intermission up 27-19.
Domask’s 3-pointer at the 13:10 mark of the first half was Southern Illinois’ first field goal of the game and sparked a 14-2 run. Southern Illinois then closed the half by scoring eight straight.
Colorado got within three points after Keeshawn Barthelemy made 1 of 2 foul shots before Southern Illinois scored five straight for a 48-40 lead with just under 10 minutes left.
The Buffs reduced their deficit to 60-58 with 1:33 remaining and Domask made 1 of 2 for a three-point lead.
Colorado turned over the ball on the next possession after a pass hit the rim and ricocheted out of bounds. Dalton Banks threw down a dunk on the ensuing possession to seal it for Southern Illinois.
Jabari Walker led the Buffaloes (3-1) with 16 points.
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