Indiana 88, SIU-Edwardsville 54

Published Dec. 17, 2010 9:18 p.m. ET

foxsports

Christian Watford scored 18 points, and Indiana's defense held Southern Illinois-Edwardsville scoreless for almost nine minutes to open the game as the Hoosiers rolled to an 88-54 victory on Friday night.

Derek Elston added 14 points as Indiana (8-2) won its ninth straight home game and tied the second-largest victory margin of the Tom Crean era.

Michael Messer had 15 points to lead SIU-Edwardsville (2-10), which has lost seven of eight.

Indiana led 24-0 before the Cougars finally ended their scoring drought with two free throws from Michael Messer. It took SIU-Edwardsville another three minutes to make a basket. Cody Rincker's 15-footer stopped an 0 for 15 opening stretch and cut the lead to 35-6.

The Hoosiers led by 33 in the first half, and SIU-Edwardsville couldn't get closer than 26 in the second half.