Tuesday, November 26
Estero, FL
11 AM CST
Southern Illinois University
2-5,0-0MVC
72
vs
77
Eastern Kentucky
4-2,0-0ASUN
1
2
F
Eastern Ky.
48
29
77
Southern Ill.
22
50
72
Photo by: Tim McCaughan
Recap | Slow Start Sinks Salukis Comeback Against Eastern Kentucky, 77-72
11/26/2024 | 3:34:00 | Men's Basketball
ESTERO, Fla. – It was a tale of two halves on Tuesday afternoon for Southern Illinois basketball as the Salukis fell to Eastern Kentucky, 77-72, at the Gulf Coast Showcase.
The Salukis (2-5) converted just six field goals (6-24) in the first half, and Eastern Kentucky (4-2) took full advantage of the poor SIU shooting to jump out to a 21-4 lead just seven minutes into play. The Colonels were red hot throughout the first half from distance, sinking seven shots from behind the arc, including three-consecutive during an 11-0 run.
Southern Illinois did not reach the 10-point mark on the scoreboard until Ali Dibba sank a free throw with 7:33 left in the half. EKU would continue to trap the Salukis full court, converting SIU turnovers into easy baskets as the Colonels ended the half on a 19-12 run over the last seven minutes to take a 48-22 lead into the locker room. Eastern Kentucky forced 12 SIU turnovers in the first 20 minutes, which they converted into 17 points.
SIU did not give up, outscoring EKU 50-29 in the second half. Dibba, a Stockholm, Sweden native, willed the Salukis over the final 20 minutes, scoring 24 of his game-high 26 points in the second half. Kennard Davis Jr. also added 15 second-half points for the Dawgs.
Southern chipped away at the Eastern Kentucky lead from down 27 points to start the half to six points with just over two minutes remaining. SIU held EKU without a field goal for nearly six minutes and used a 14-3 run to cut the Colonels lead to six at 68-62. EKU would stave off the SIU rally with a pair of dunks and five free throws in the closing minutes.
Dibba's 26 points led the Saluki offense and surpassed his career high by one point – a mark that he set last December against Western Kentucky (25 points). Davis scored 21 points for the Salukis with seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Freshman Drew Steffe added 10 points while hitting two of SIU's six 3-pointers.
After shooting 25 percent (6-24) in the first half, Southern shot 58.6 percent (17-29). The Salukis finished the game 23-of-53 (43.4) from the floor, 6-for-19 (31.6) from deep, and 20-for-27 (74.1) from the charity stripe.
The Salukis held EKU to 24.1 percent (7-for-29) from the floor and just one 3-pointer in the second half in the comeback.
Devonate Blanton led the Colonels with 17 points and six rebounds. Mayar Wol had 14, including three 3-pointers.
UP NEXT
The Salukis will play their third game in as many days on Wednesday to wrap up the Gulf Coast Showcase. SIU will face off against Florida Tech at 2 p.m. CT. The game will air on the Saluki Radio Network and FloCollege.
FOLLOW THE SALUKIS
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by visiting SIUSalukis.com as well as following the team on X at @SIU_Basketball, Instagram at @SIU_Basketball, and Facebook at Facebook.com/SIUBasketball. Fans can also download the "Salukis" mobile app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
The Salukis (2-5) converted just six field goals (6-24) in the first half, and Eastern Kentucky (4-2) took full advantage of the poor SIU shooting to jump out to a 21-4 lead just seven minutes into play. The Colonels were red hot throughout the first half from distance, sinking seven shots from behind the arc, including three-consecutive during an 11-0 run.
Southern Illinois did not reach the 10-point mark on the scoreboard until Ali Dibba sank a free throw with 7:33 left in the half. EKU would continue to trap the Salukis full court, converting SIU turnovers into easy baskets as the Colonels ended the half on a 19-12 run over the last seven minutes to take a 48-22 lead into the locker room. Eastern Kentucky forced 12 SIU turnovers in the first 20 minutes, which they converted into 17 points.
SIU did not give up, outscoring EKU 50-29 in the second half. Dibba, a Stockholm, Sweden native, willed the Salukis over the final 20 minutes, scoring 24 of his game-high 26 points in the second half. Kennard Davis Jr. also added 15 second-half points for the Dawgs.
Southern chipped away at the Eastern Kentucky lead from down 27 points to start the half to six points with just over two minutes remaining. SIU held EKU without a field goal for nearly six minutes and used a 14-3 run to cut the Colonels lead to six at 68-62. EKU would stave off the SIU rally with a pair of dunks and five free throws in the closing minutes.
Dibba's 26 points led the Saluki offense and surpassed his career high by one point – a mark that he set last December against Western Kentucky (25 points). Davis scored 21 points for the Salukis with seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Freshman Drew Steffe added 10 points while hitting two of SIU's six 3-pointers.
After shooting 25 percent (6-24) in the first half, Southern shot 58.6 percent (17-29). The Salukis finished the game 23-of-53 (43.4) from the floor, 6-for-19 (31.6) from deep, and 20-for-27 (74.1) from the charity stripe.
The Salukis held EKU to 24.1 percent (7-for-29) from the floor and just one 3-pointer in the second half in the comeback.
Devonate Blanton led the Colonels with 17 points and six rebounds. Mayar Wol had 14, including three 3-pointers.
UP NEXT
The Salukis will play their third game in as many days on Wednesday to wrap up the Gulf Coast Showcase. SIU will face off against Florida Tech at 2 p.m. CT. The game will air on the Saluki Radio Network and FloCollege.
FOLLOW THE SALUKIS
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by visiting SIUSalukis.com as well as following the team on X at @SIU_Basketball, Instagram at @SIU_Basketball, and Facebook at Facebook.com/SIUBasketball. Fans can also download the "Salukis" mobile app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
Team Stats
EKU
SIU
FG%
.413
.434
3FG%
.286
.316
FT%
.773
.741
RB
37
35
TO
10
17
STL
12
4
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
21
FGM
7
3FGM
1
FTM
6
Pts
10
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Pts
8
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Players Mentioned
G
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