Saturday, February 8
Carbondale, IL
1 PM
Southern Illinois University
12-13,7-7MVC
79
vs
67
UIC
14-10,7-7MVC
1
2
F
UIC
22
45
67
Southern Ill.
30
49
79
Photo by: Abby Harris
Recap | Salukis Take Care of UIC Saturday, 79-67; Earn Seventh Win in Last Nine Games
02/08/2025 | 4:24:00 | Men's Basketball
CARBONDALE, Ill. – The Southern Illinois men's basketball team earned its second-straight victory, and a season sweep over UIC after taking down the Flames, 79-67, Saturday afternoon at Banterra Center. The win marks the seventh for the Salukis in the last nine games as SIU moved from 0-5 in the Missouri Valley Conference to 7-7 in MVC play.
The Salukis (11-12) put four scorers in double figures led by Kennard Davis Jr. who scored 23 points to go along with five rebounds and three assists. Freshman guard Drew Steffe dropped a career-high 20 points in the win and hit five of his seven shot attempts, including four 3-pointers.
Postgame Presser Conference
Both squads started slow in the game after combining for just 11 points nearly seven minutes into play. Southern's Davion Sykes kickstarted an 8-0 Saluki run with a layup after coming off the bench. Damien Mayo Jr. finished with contact for the 3-point play before Sykes capped off the run with a triple to give SIU a 12-7 lead with 9:52 left to play.
Defensively the Salukis would continue to hound UIC (14-10, 7-7 MVC) in the opening half as the Flames were limited to just nine field goals (9-31) and just 22 points in the first 20 minutes. At one point, Southern held the Flames scoreless for nearly five minutes and 1-for-12 from the field.
Southern Illinois turned the defense into offense and was able to knock down shots from the perimeter, hitting 5-of-13 from deep in the first. The Salukis also forced UIC into six turnovers while scoring five points on the break as SIU went into the locker room with a 30-22 lead. Davis led the Salukis with eight while Mayo had seven in the first.
It was more of the same in the second half as all things were clicking for the Salukis who were able to push the lead to as much as 24 points midway through the half.
The Salukis shot 6-for-8 from deep in the second half with Steffe knocking in three in 18 minutes. The Frisco, Texas native scored 17 of his 20 points in the second half of play. Davis also dominated the second with 15 points.
Senior Jarrett Hensley recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Mayo finished the game with 11 points and four rebounds while going 5-for-5 from the free-throw line.
The Salukis were strong in the paint, outscoring UIC 48-28. SIU also won the battle on the glass, 40-31.
UIC was led by Tyem Freeman and Ahmad Henderson II who scored 12 points each.
UP NEXT
Southern Illinois heads to Peoria, Illinois next week as the Salukis take on Bradley. Tipoff with the Braves is set for 6 p.m. CT on Wednesday from Carver Arena.
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 (11-12) put four scorers in double figures led by Kennard Davis Jr. who scored 23 points to go along with five rebounds and three assists. Freshman guard Drew Steffe dropped a career-high 20 points in the win and hit five of his seven shot attempts, including four 3-pointers.
Postgame Presser Conference
Both squads started slow in the game after combining for just 11 points nearly seven minutes into play. Southern's Davion Sykes kickstarted an 8-0 Saluki run with a layup after coming off the bench. Damien Mayo Jr. finished with contact for the 3-point play before Sykes capped off the run with a triple to give SIU a 12-7 lead with 9:52 left to play.
Defensively the Salukis would continue to hound UIC (14-10, 7-7 MVC) in the opening half as the Flames were limited to just nine field goals (9-31) and just 22 points in the first 20 minutes. At one point, Southern held the Flames scoreless for nearly five minutes and 1-for-12 from the field.
Southern Illinois turned the defense into offense and was able to knock down shots from the perimeter, hitting 5-of-13 from deep in the first. The Salukis also forced UIC into six turnovers while scoring five points on the break as SIU went into the locker room with a 30-22 lead. Davis led the Salukis with eight while Mayo had seven in the first.
It was more of the same in the second half as all things were clicking for the Salukis who were able to push the lead to as much as 24 points midway through the half.
The Salukis shot 6-for-8 from deep in the second half with Steffe knocking in three in 18 minutes. The Frisco, Texas native scored 17 of his 20 points in the second half of play. Davis also dominated the second with 15 points.
Senior Jarrett Hensley recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Mayo finished the game with 11 points and four rebounds while going 5-for-5 from the free-throw line.
The Salukis were strong in the paint, outscoring UIC 48-28. SIU also won the battle on the glass, 40-31.
UIC was led by Tyem Freeman and Ahmad Henderson II who scored 12 points each.
UP NEXT
Southern Illinois heads to Peoria, Illinois next week as the Salukis take on Bradley. Tipoff with the Braves is set for 6 p.m. CT on Wednesday from Carver Arena.
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
UIC
SIU
FG%
.415
.463
3FG%
.250
.524
FT%
.636
.783
RB
31
40
TO
10
16
STL
12
6
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
23
FGM
7
3FGM
4
FTM
5
Pts
20
FGM
5
3FGM
4
FTM
6
Pts
11
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball9.19.25 | Saluki Radio Preview - at SEMO
Friday, September 19
9.18.25 | Drew Steffe with Rodney Watson
Thursday, September 18
9.17.25 | Saluki Radio Football Podcast - SEMO
Wednesday, September 17
Inside Saluki Athletics - September 16th
Wednesday, September 17