ST. LOUIS Rashad Tucker came to St. Louis with a mission, and no one was going to stand in his way.

Tucker dominated both the Northern Iowa and Illinois State defenses in the Salukis’ two games at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. In the process, he made a name for himself and a claim for the shot to play in the NBA.

Tucker wrapped up play Saturday with 22 points and 12 rebounds in SIUC’s 83-73 loss to Illinois State. But it was Tucker’s record-setting performance that opened eyes Friday.

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Tucker poured in 24 points, pulled 10 rebounds and dished out 10 assists for the Valley’s first triple-double in tournament history. Tucker led four Salukis in double figures in scoring as SIUC rolled 91-72 over the Panthers.

I just played my game, Tucker said. I’m proud to get the triple-double although we just came out to win. I don’t think much about the record. We’re just happy to get the victory.

UNI coach Eldon Miller left Friday’s game shaking his head about Tucker’s play.

Our biggest problem was trying to stop Rashad, Miller said. I’ve watched a lot of tape of Tucker, and that is as well as I’ve seen him play.

Tucker almost never got the chance to make history. He was one assist short of the record when he was taken out late in the second half with the Salukis up by 20. SIUC Sports Information Director Fred Huff informed Herrin of the situation, and Herrin decided to put Tucker back in the game.

Tucker got the final assist on a pass to junior center James Watts, who hit an 18-foot jumper with two minutes left.

Herrin said the decision to put Tucker back in is one he does not regret.

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Tucker is very deserving of it, and I think it says something about him, Herrin said. I did not know how much time there was. I’ve never done that before, and I’ve never put anyone back in a game to set a record.

But I’m happy I did it, and I talked to UNI coach Eldon Miller after the game and apologized to him. I just don’t think we rubbed it in on him.

With his career at SIUC over, Tucker now turns to the ranks of professional basketball. Tucker is ranked as a possible second round pick in the June draft by ESPN.

He will bring with him a mindful of lessons from Herrin.

I can’t sit up here and name all of the things I will take (from him), Tucker said. But one of the main things I’ll take is how he kept me focused through the season. Life off the court was kind of hard for me, and he just helped me stick through it, let me play basketball and had me do other things to make my life better.