
Southern Illinois Runs Past Missouri State to Secure Season Sweep, 73-53
02/05/2023 | 3:59:00 | Men's Basketball
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois men's basketball picked up the season sweep of Missouri State Sunday afternoon in front of over 5,800 fans with a 73-53 victory inside Banterra Center.
"I'm proud of our guys. That's a tough team, and it's always tough to beat a team twice and to come back after a couple of tough losses," head coach Bryan Mullins said postgame. "I thought the fans were great – it was a great environment today. Defensively we played for 40 minutes – offensively we still have some things to work on, but that's a good win."
Southern (18-7, 10-4 MVC) had three players score in double-figures led by Lance Jones who dropped in a game-high 18 as the Salukis moved into a four-way tie atop the Missouri Valley Conference standings with three weeks remaining in the regular season.
Chicago native Troy D'Amico sparked the Saluki offense in the first half with SIU trailing 16-10 eight minutes into the action. D'Amico checked in and carved up the Missouri State zone to a tune of 12 points in just six minutes of action – surpassing his career high in the process.
"I think that might have been one of his (D'Amico) best games in an SIU jersey," Mullins said. "That's been one of our strengths all season – having different guys step up when we need them to."
The outburst by D'Amico was part of a 16-5 run for SIU, allowing Southern to regain the lead and never look back after taking a 36-32 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Jones was lights out in the second half scoring 16 of his 18 points in the final 20 minutes, including 10 points before the first media timeout. Jones knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers to push SIU's lead to double-figures for the first time as well as a steal and score forcing an MSU timeout. Southern went on to outscore the Bears 37-21, including a 23-7 run over the final 10 minutes of play.
The Salukis put together one of its best second-half performances of the season on the defensive side of the ball, holding Missouri State (12-12, 8-6 MVC) to just 21 points in the half – the second-lowest of the season.
Southern turned the Bears over 16 times which led to 26 points off turnovers compared to the Bears scoring just five points on SIU's nine turnovers. SIU was also able to win the points in transition 11-1.
Southern was also able to control the rebounds against the Bears, outrebounding MSU 29-26 with 12 rebounds coming on the offensive end.
Waupun, Wisconsin native Marcus Domask turned in another solid performance, scoring 12 points while dishing out seven assists and picking up four steals and four rebounds in the win. It marked the 22nd double-digit scoring effort of the season for the senior.
Chance Moore led the Bears with 14 points and six rebounds while Alston mason added 14 points and four assists.
UP NEXT
Southern Illinois returns to action on Wednesday, February 8 with UIC in town. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. from Banterra Center.
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.
"I'm proud of our guys. That's a tough team, and it's always tough to beat a team twice and to come back after a couple of tough losses," head coach Bryan Mullins said postgame. "I thought the fans were great – it was a great environment today. Defensively we played for 40 minutes – offensively we still have some things to work on, but that's a good win."
Southern (18-7, 10-4 MVC) had three players score in double-figures led by Lance Jones who dropped in a game-high 18 as the Salukis moved into a four-way tie atop the Missouri Valley Conference standings with three weeks remaining in the regular season.
Chicago native Troy D'Amico sparked the Saluki offense in the first half with SIU trailing 16-10 eight minutes into the action. D'Amico checked in and carved up the Missouri State zone to a tune of 12 points in just six minutes of action – surpassing his career high in the process.
"I think that might have been one of his (D'Amico) best games in an SIU jersey," Mullins said. "That's been one of our strengths all season – having different guys step up when we need them to."
The outburst by D'Amico was part of a 16-5 run for SIU, allowing Southern to regain the lead and never look back after taking a 36-32 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Jones was lights out in the second half scoring 16 of his 18 points in the final 20 minutes, including 10 points before the first media timeout. Jones knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers to push SIU's lead to double-figures for the first time as well as a steal and score forcing an MSU timeout. Southern went on to outscore the Bears 37-21, including a 23-7 run over the final 10 minutes of play.
The Salukis put together one of its best second-half performances of the season on the defensive side of the ball, holding Missouri State (12-12, 8-6 MVC) to just 21 points in the half – the second-lowest of the season.
Southern turned the Bears over 16 times which led to 26 points off turnovers compared to the Bears scoring just five points on SIU's nine turnovers. SIU was also able to win the points in transition 11-1.
Southern was also able to control the rebounds against the Bears, outrebounding MSU 29-26 with 12 rebounds coming on the offensive end.
Waupun, Wisconsin native Marcus Domask turned in another solid performance, scoring 12 points while dishing out seven assists and picking up four steals and four rebounds in the win. It marked the 22nd double-digit scoring effort of the season for the senior.
Chance Moore led the Bears with 14 points and six rebounds while Alston mason added 14 points and four assists.
UP NEXT
Southern Illinois returns to action on Wednesday, February 8 with UIC in town. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. from Banterra Center.
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.
Team Stats
MOST
SIU
FG%
.476
.456
3FG%
.455
.281
FT%
.500
.923
RB
26
29
TO
16
9
STL
5
12
Game Leaders
Scoring
Players Mentioned
9.5.25 | Saluki Radio Preview - Purdue
Friday, September 05
9.4.25 | Matt Painter on Rodney Watson Being Inducted Into SIU Hall of Fame
Thursday, September 04
9.3.25 | Saluki Radio Football Podcast - Purdue
Wednesday, September 03
9.3.25 | Saluki Football Highlights - Thomas More
Wednesday, September 03