Southern Illinois University
3-2,0-0MVC
University of Delaware
1-4,0-0CUSA
Dawgs never trail, top Delaware by 20
11/23/2025 | 4:27:00 | Men's Basketball
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Southern Illinois led wire-to-wire against Delaware in the first game of the Jacksonville Classic presented by Just Play, winning 79-59.
Coming off back-to-back losses, the Salukis played with renewed energy and tenacious defense Sunday at John Hurst Adams Gymnasium on the Edward Waters University campus. SIU scored 24 points off turnovers.
"We were better defensively. We got a lot of our points on turnovers," head coach Scott Nagy said. "We need to keep pressure on teams."
Southern Illinois forced 19 turnovers while committing just 10. The Salukis dominated nearly every major category: rebounding (36-29), points in the paint (40-24), fast break points (14-3) and bench scoring (32-19).
SIU used a nine-man rotation, and Max Pikaar, Caden Hawkins and Jaheem Webber saw late minutes to ensure every player got on the floor. Senior guard Isaiah Stafford led the team with 13 points, making key plays down the stretch.
"The one thing about Zai (Isaiah Stafford) is that he doesn't play with a ton of emotion, but when I get him angry, he really plays well," Nagy said. "I think Zai is going to get himself going. That second half was good for him."
It was the first game this season that SIU was not led in scoring by Quel'Ron House, who entered averaging a Missouri Valley Conference-high 20.3 points per game. House scored 10 against Delaware. Three Salukis finished with 12 points each: Prince Aligbe, Drew Steffe and Davion Sykes.
Sophomore Rolyns Aligbe added seven points, six rebounds and four blocks. His older brother, Prince, a senior transfer from Seton Hall, also grabbed six boards.
"We changed our mindset about how we come into games. I feel like I can be one of the best defenders in the MVC," Prince Aligbe said. "You have to create energy somehow. I want my team to see the tone I set."
Alex Kazanecki led Delaware with 17 points.
Next up
The Salukis continue at the Jacksonville Classic on Monday with a 12:30 p.m. CST tipoff against UAB. The Blazers (4-2) enter on a three-game winning streak and are averaging 88.8 points per game.
Chance Westry leads UAB with 19.2 points and a team-high 28 assists. Jacob Meyer adds 15.7 points per game, while Ahmad Robinson is the Blazers' top 3-point shooter at 41% (13-for-31). Daniel Rivera leads the team with eight rebounds per game and contributes 12 points per contest. UAB is ranked No. 105 in KenPom.
Looking ahead
After their two games in Jacksonville, the Dawgs head to Tennessee to face the Memphis Tigers at 7 p.m. (CST) Wednesday, Nov. 26, at the FedExForum to wrap up their five-game road trip.
The Salukis play their first game in the Banterra Center in over three weeks at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, against Arkansas Little Rock. Tickets are available here.
Both games will be broadcast on ESPN+, and all SIU Men's Basketball games are available on the Saluki Radio Network. You can also follow the Salukis on X, Facebook, and Instagram for news, updates, and more.
