Southern Illinois University
1-0,0-0MVC
McKendree
0-0,0-0GLVC
Salukis take care of business against McKendree in season opener
11/03/2025 | 9:46:00 | Men's Basketball
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois opened its season with authority Friday night, building a commanding first-half lead and cruising to an 83-42 victory over Division II McKendree at Banterra Center.
"It wasn't perfect … but the effort was good, and that's the most important thing," head coach Scott Nagy said. "I was mostly pleased with the defense. The offense is a bit of a mess … but we still scored 83 points."
Quel'Ron House led SIU with 18 points and three steals, while Rolyns Aligbe added 11. Jalen Haynes, Davion Sykes and Drew Steffe each contributed eight points as the Salukis showcased their depth and athleticism throughout the night.
"Tonight, we were able to get some good minutes for some guys," Nagy said. "The most difficult thing for me right now is the substitution pattern. When games get tighter, there's no way I can play 12 guys."
SIU wasted no time taking control, using swarming defense and efficient shooting to jump out to an early lead. The Salukis led by as many as 26 points in the first half and entered halftime with a 40-20 advantage, overwhelming the Bearcats on the glass and in transition. McKendree shot just 30.8 percent in the opening period and struggled to find a rhythm.
The Bearcats' offensive woes continued after the break, finishing the game shooting 28 percent from the field, 23 percent from 3-point range and 41% from the free-throw line. SIU's defense consistently challenged shots at the rim, recording eight blocks and holding McKendree to 8-of-26 shooting and 1-of-10 from deep in the first half.
On offense, Southern Illinois attacked the paint relentlessly, scoring 44 points inside and earning 24 trips to the free-throw line — continuing a trend established during exhibition play. When McKendree collapsed defensively, SIU found open shooters and capitalized from the perimeter.
"It was a blessing to come out today. The energy was there. The fans were there," said senior guard Damien Mayo Jr. "It was great to show Saluki Nation what's to come."
The Salukis also turned defense into offense, scoring 26 points off turnovers and running the floor efficiently to outscore McKendree 24-8 in the paint during the first half alone. SIU's bench added 37 points, highlighting early-season depth that could prove valuable as the season progresses.
Caleb Burton led McKendree with eight points.
Southern Illinois returns to action Friday, Nov. 7, when it hosts UMKC at 7 p.m. at Banterra Center. It marks the final home game before a five-game road trip that includes stops at Nevada, North Dakota State, two games at the Jacksonville Classic in Florida, and a matchup at Memphis.
