The teams traded punches until the Salukis broke away in the second part of the final period.
Southern Illinois' Thik Bol, who finished with 12 points, opened the game with a dunk and the Salukis took a 33-31 lead into the half. They opened the second period on an 8-3 run to go up 41-34 at the 17:56 mark. The Aces answered with a 9-2 run to tie and took a 47-45 lead after Dru Smith drilled a 3 midway in the second half. The Salukis responded with a 22-8 run and coasted to the win.
Sean Lloyd added 14 points for Southern Illinois (11-8, 4-2 Missouri Valley Conference), which has won five of its last seven.
Ryan Taylor and Jaylon Brown had 19 apiece for Evansville (10-9, 1-5).
