After a victory on ESPN at Utah State Jan. 11, the Salukis’ shooting skills must have been lost in baggage somewhere in Logan, Utah.

The best the Salukis could do against Bradley University Monday was come within seven points, and that was in the opening minutes when the Braves started the game on a seven to zero run.

The woes continued for SIUC through the entire game, as the Salukis were down by 12 points at the half and ended the game down by 16 points 73-57.

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The lone bright spot for the Dawgs was the play of senior forward Scott Burzynski, who had 11 of the Dawg’s 29 points before the intermission, and 15 points in the game.

The other two regularly dangerous three-point shooters for SIUC, sophomore guards Shane Hawkins and Troy Hudson, were a combined 1-10 from behind the arc in the first half, and finished with only 10 points between them.

Hawkins, who was averaging 14 points per game going in to the game, finished with eight points, and Hudson, who was averaging 20 ppg, finished with only two points. The guard duo finished with a combined 2-14 from behind the three-point line, and 4-21 overall.

Saluki coach Rich Herrin said Bradley was the best team SIUC has played to date, and the team needed to put this game behind it.

They’re down a little, but we need to put this one behind us, he said. We didn’t get things done right, and there are a number of reason’s for that.

Bradley dominated the entire game, and Herrin said rebounding was what may have hurt the Salukis the most.

Bradley’s very good, and that isn’t a surprise, he said. They were tough on us on the offensive boards and they finished their rebounds, and that shouldn’t happen.

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The only other bright spot for SIUC was the improving play of junior forward Damon Jones who had all of his five points in the first half before fouling-out early on in the second half.

The ice beneath the Carver Arena floor seemed to effect the Salukis’ shooting during the entire game, but especially in the second half when SIUC did not connect on a three-point shot until Hawkins found the hoop on a long shot with 7:35 to go.

Bradley had worked the lead to 22 points with 8:11 left in the contest, and the Salukis were stone-cold from that point on.

Herrin had a positive attitude after the game, and said the team would have to work hard in practice this week to be ready for Drake on Thursday.

Why dwell on something you can’t correct right now, he said. Those things happen, and we just weren’t patient tonight.