CARBONDALE - Carlton Fay's 2009 debut was unexpectedly delayed even further. After sitting out the exhibition season for violating team rules, Fay technically made his first appearance at 16:30 of the first half of SIU's season-opening 91-63 win over the University of Tennessee-Martin.

Unless you count personal fouls, Fay's initial appearance was largely non-productive. The junior forward picked up two quick fouls, limiting his playing time to just five minutes.

At the half, Fay had just five points and two rebounds. Anthony Booker was limited to just six minutes in the first half, but despite the absence of the two big men, SIU still held a 43-25 lead at the break.

"In the past, we would have struggled because of the bench being thin, but now I think our bench is huge," said SIU coach Chris Lowery. "John Freeman was very good in the first half, playing 15 minutes. We never practice him at the four, he just does it. He's a cerebral kid, and he understands how to play several positions."

However, Fay made his presence felt in the second half. He finished the game with 18 points, five rebounds and assist in just 15 minutes.

In a span of 2:27, Fay scored nine points, grabbed a pair of rebounds and dished out an assist. The third jump shot in that series gave the Salukis a 59-34 edge with 12:11 to play.

"Carlton was special for us off the bench," Lowery said. "When you can bring a guy like him off the bench, he can go get shots like he can and make them, it just makes our bench a little more comfortable. He's our sixth starter right now."

Moments after hitting that third jumper, Fay found himself double-covered at the top of the key. He made a pump fake and put the ball on the floor, creating an open lane to Nick Evans under the bucket.

Fay slipped the pass inside for a thunderous dunk.

The 6-foot-9 junior also stabilized SIU's play on the boards. After being out-rebounded in both exhibition games, the Salukis beat UT-Martin, 36-34, on the boards.

"We just have a lot of big bodies, Carlton, Nick and Book," Lowery said. "They're really tough to deal with right now because they're big and strong. When they do what we ask them, good things happen for us.

"I knew it (getting Fay back) would help, but we let them get too many offensive rebounds. I knew we would get more chances because when you can play four big bodies like that pounding on people, it's too our advantage."

The Salukis return to action Tuesday night facing Indianapolis.

les.winkeler@thesouthern.com / 618-351-5088

 

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