Drake University used an injury to a teammate for motivation in the second-half, but the Salukis answered the call Wednesday night.

With SIUC ahead by 11, Bulldog sophomore forward Myron Richardson was fouled hard on an attempted dunk with 10:06 remaining in the game. Richardson landed on the hardwood on his back after his feet were taken out from under him in mid-air. Richardson’s injury delayed the game nearly 15 minutes before being taken out on a stretcher. Richardson was taken to Memorial Hospital of Carbondale. His status as of press time was unknown.

When play resumed, Drake scored five straight points to cut the deficit to 60-54. But the Bulldogs got no closer, as junior guard Monte Jenkins, and sophomore forwards Chris Thunell and Derrick Tilmon scored 24 of the Salukis final 25 points down the stretch in a 85-72 victory at the SIU Arena.

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SIUC coach Rich Herrin said the delay was a key factor, but Jenkins stepped up to the occasion.

After that young man was injured, they cut it to six, Herrin said. They missed a layup and Monte hit a three and that made it nine. That was big bucket we got there.

Jenkins’ 21 points, including 16 in the second half, marked the second-consecutive game he has led the team in scoring. Thunell and Tilmon each chipped in with 13.

In the first half, I wasn’t into it on the offense, Jenkins said. I just had patience and let the game come to me.

The win for the Salukis, who shot 48 percent from the field, evened their record at 12-12 overall and 7-7 in the Missouri Valley Conference. Drake (3-19, 0-14) dropped its 15th straight this season and 35th consecutive conference game.

Ironically, the last MVC win for the Bulldogs was a 71-68 victory over SIUC Feb. 17, 1996.

SIUC’s 17-point lead, it’s largest, came early in the second half, largely because in part to Jenkins. He scored the team’s first seven points of the half.

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The closest Drake got before the injury to Richardson, was 10 points.

I’m not a doctor, obviously he had pain in his neck, Drake coach Kurt Kanaskie said. He had tingling and numbness down his arm and fingers.

Drake opened the first half looking like a team in dire need of a win. They jumped out to a 10-3 advantage over the Salukis. Armand LaVasseur fueled the run, hitting two early three-point baskets.

Then Herrin decided it was time for a change on the defensive end, by switching to full-court pressure. The result was four Bulldogs turnovers and a 15-13 Saluki lead that came on a Tilmon two-hand slam dunk.

The Salukis never relinquished the lead for the remainder of the game.

Late in the first half, senior guard Shane Hawkins got the hot-hand. He nailed three of his four opening half three-pointers in final six minutes, as the Salukis built a 45-33 halftime advantage.