COLUMBUS, Ohio - No rhythm, no flow, no open shots.

The Salukis got the exact type of game they wanted.

Letting its gritty defense do the work, Southern Illinois (28-6) overcame a front-line injury and beat the Crusaders (25-9) in a first-round NCAA Tournament game that had as many floor burns as fast breaks.

Reserve forward Tony Boyle scored a career-high 14 points in the second half, including one banked-in free throw, as Southern Illinois matched its school record for wins and advanced in the West Regional.

Playing with the best NCAA Tournament seed in its history Southern Illinois had trouble finding shots against a switching, trapping defense that seemed to know what it was going to do.

Boyle took over after forward Matt Shaw hurt his left ankle while getting a rebound in the closing seconds of the first half.

The sophomore did just enough to keep Southern Illinois ahead the rest of the way.