Southern Illinois University
9-4,1-1MVC
UIC
7-6,0-2MVC
Recap | Salukis Take Down UIC in Return to Valley Action, 62-50
12/30/2023 | 9:17:00 | Men's Basketball
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois held UIC to just 20 second-half points as the Salukis defeated the Flames 62-50 in their return to conference action Saturday night at Banterra Center.
Xavier Johnson put on an offensive clinic in front of over 7,000 Saluki fans in attendance as he notched his fifth 30-point performance of the year after going for 31 points, five assists, and three rebounds in the win.
A Germantown, Maryland product, Johnson scored the final 14 points of the game for the Salukis to closeout UIC, and no shot was more important that his final step back 3-pointer with 1:05 left on the clock – pushing the SIU lead to eight points.
SIU was strong out of the gate, jumping out to a nine-point lead at the midway point of the first half as Clarence Rupert and Johnson combined to score 19 of SIU's first 21 points.
UIC answered with a 13-2 run of their own over the next six minutes to take a lead just before half, but SIU (9-4, 1-1 MVC) would reel off seven-straight points in the final three minutes before the Flames got a layup at the buzzer to cut the Saluki lead to 32-30 heading into the locker room.
Southern Illinois put on a defensive showcase in the final 20 minutes of play as UIC (7-6, 0-2 MVC) was held to just 22 percent from the field (7-of-29). SIU turned the Flames over four times in the half and turned those miscues into seven points.
The Salukis won the rebounding battle 41-32 led by Troy D'Amico's game-high 11. Clarence Rupert had six boards and AJ Ferguson pulled down five rebounds to go with five points in his return to action following injury. Rupert added 12 points and a career high four blocks for SIU.
One of the top perimeter defenses in the nation, UIC held the Salukis to just six triples in the game but Southern was one better as UIC shot 5-for-17 from deep.
UP NEXT
Southern Illinois returns to action Tuesday, January 2 when Belmont comes to town. Tipoff with the Bruins is scheduled for 7 p.m. from Banterra Center. Fans can purchase bleacher tickets for Tuesday's game for just $5 by using code FIVE at SIUSalukis.com/Promo.
FOLLOW THE SALUKIS
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on Twitter at @SIU_Basketball, on Instagram at @SIU_Basketball, and on Facebook at Facebook.com/SalukiAthletics. Fans can also download the "Salukis" Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play Store.
