BYU to Host Southern Illinois in NIT Second Round Monday

PROVO -- After Southern Illinois' 94-92 NIT win over Colorado Thursday, the NIT announced that BYU will host the tournament's second-round game between the Cougars and the Saluki Monday at 9 p.m. in the Marriott Center.

Tickets go on sale Friday at 9 a.m. at the Marriott Center ticket office and will be sold on a first-come-first serve basis. The ticket office will also be open Saturday from 9 a.m. -- 7 p.m. Below concourse chair seats cost $14; above concourse chair $10; above concourse bench $8 and student tickets $4. Tickets can be ordered by phone at 378-BYU1 or 800-322-BYU1.

More info available at www.NIT.org on the web.

"We look forward to playing in front of our home crowd on Monday against Southern Illinois," BYU coach Steve Cleveland said. "We had great support from the community against Bowling Green. The crowd is very important and helped us get this second NIT home game. We hope to have another great turnout on Monday night."

Southern Illinois improved to 20-12 on the year with its road win at Colorado Thursday. The Saluki finished third in the Missouri Valley Conference with a 12-6 record behind Indiana State and Southwest Missouri State. Southern Illinois was 3-5 against NCAA teams this year with wins over Indiana State, Southeast Missouri State and Creighton.

BYU has a 10-5 NIT record in eight appearances, including two NIT titles (1951 and 1966). With its 81-54 win Wednesday over Bowling Green, BYU has a 4-1 home record in NIT games. BYU last played in the NIT in 1994, defeating Arizona State (74-67) in the first round at home before falling to Fresno State (68-66) on the road. Prior to this year's bid, BYU had participated in the NIT in 1951, 1953, 1954, 1966, 1982, 1986 and 1994.

The winner of Monday's game will advance to the final eight and face the winner of Notre Dame (19-14) and Xavier (21-11) at a site to be determined. The winner of that game, which will likely be played Wednesday, will advance to Madison Square Garden to compete in the NIT semifinals.