Southern Illinois University
5-4,0-0MVC
High Point
7-2,0-0Big South
Southern Rallies, Wins Thriller Over High Point
12/03/2025 | 10:04:00 | Men's Basketball
HIGH POINT, N.C. — Southern Illinois showed incredible fight in its 86-84 win over High Point on Wednesday night.
Down 12 points at halftime, the Salukis could have folded against the Panthers' high-powered offense at the Qubein Center. Instead, they adjusted, battled back and pulled off a victory against the highest-rated team they've faced this season.
High Point entered the game 7-1 and ranked No. 62 in the NET ratings. The Panthers also carried a 12-game home nonconference winning streak.
"We have been in that situation, and we didn't panic. I'm super proud of the players for not giving up," head coach Scott Nagy said.
The comeback was fueled by Damien Mayo's 22-point second half. The senior guard from St. Louis hit 4 of 5 from beyond the arc.
"I compared it to David and Goliath. One young, little man shows up and shows some courage, and everybody else got courage from it," Nagy said. "Mayo showed great courage tonight, and everybody else followed that. It meant so much to our team."
Despite the halftime deficit, SIU played High Point evenly in most statistical categories. The biggest difference was at the free-throw line, where the Panthers had eight more attempts and makes.
After trading baskets early in the second half, Southern surged and tied the game with just over 15 minutes remaining. Mayo scored nine straight points to pull even, and Isaiah Stafford gave the Salukis a 54-51 lead with a 3-pointer.
SIU stretched the lead to nine with under six minutes left, but High Point rallied with clutch rebounds and shots, eventually tying the game at 80.
Prince Aligbe sank two key free throws, and Quel'Ron House converted an acrobatic layup to knot the score at 84 with 25 seconds left. High Point had the ball and a chance for the final shot.
As Conrad Martinez brought the ball upcourt, Mayo pressured him into a turnover with four seconds remaining. Mayo dove for the loose ball and flipped it to Drew Steffe, who pushed it ahead to Davion Sykes for a contested layup with 0.4 seconds left.
High Point's full-court pass was deflected by 7-footer Max Pikaar, who entered the game specifically to guard the inbound, and time expired.
Steffe continued his shooting resurgence, hitting 4 of 7 from deep and scoring 18 points. Prince Aligbe and Jalen Haynes added 10 each.
Southern won the rebounding battle 42-37 in a full-team effort. Rolyns Aligbe led with seven boards, Stafford added six, and Prince Aligbe and Mayo grabbed five apiece. Steffe dished seven assists, and Haynes had five.
High Point was led by Terry Anderson's 21 points and Rob Martin's 20. Anderson and Cam'Ron Fletcher each had 10 rebounds. Fletcher, the Panthers' leading scorer entering the game, was held to eight points.
The Salukis have a week off before their next contest back home at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 10, against UT Martin. Tickets can be purchased here. It will be Youth Sport Night in Banterra Center. All members of a youth sports team are encouraged to wear their team jerseys and be featured on the videoboard. There are $5 seats available here.
