Live blogging from SIU...

PREGAME: It almost looks like a UMass home game with all the maroon in the building. Won't be as much second half live blogging tonight with deadlines looming. Interesting style matchup. Needs to be a good shooting night.

18:10: UMass 7, SIU 2 -  Harris just hit a 3.

15:54: UMass 9, SIU 4 - UMass looks reasonably composed so far with a difficult crowd. SIU fans for all their promises of creativity have been disappointing so far. 

11:37: UMass 20, SIU 10 - Harris has seven points and three rebounds. UMass outrebounding 12-5, which is a big stat in this game.

7:28: UMass 26, SIU 16 - SIU is shooting poorly so far, with some bad shots. Harris up to 10 already. UMass needs to build its lead now assuming SIU is eventually going to make a run.

5:55: UMass 28, SIU 20 - Like Bonner just came down hard and looks fairly hurt. He's being helped off. SIU's Torres Roundtree is out too.

3:43: UMass 34, SIU 24 - Four straight Saluki points have brought the crowd back and causeed Kellogg to call time.

3:21: UMass 37, SIU 27 - Gurley just hit a three that bounced twice before rolling in.

HALFTIME: UMass 39, SIU 28 -A pretty good half. Feels a little too good to be true. Bonner is on crutches and in the lockerroom. 

18:24: UMass 39, SIU 35 - Salukis on a half-crossing 11-0 run. This looks bad for the Minutemen.

15:55: UMass 46, SIU 39 -  Harris is up to 15.

8:55: UMass 58, SIU 56 - SIU has found its 3-point range. UMass is trying to hang on.

3:59: UMass 65, SIU 63 -  Free throws and foul trouble could decide this.

:39: SIU 75, UMass 67 - Minutemen have run out of gas.

FINAL: Harris led UMass with 24 points, while Lowe added 17 points and five rebounds, but had no assists and 10 turnovers as Southern Illinois guarded him fullcourt throughout.

...four days til Memphis...