This Week in Saluki Athletics: January 19-25
01/19/2026 | 12:11:00 | General
CARBONDALE, Ill. – The first week of classes at Southern Illinois brought with it plenty of action within the world of Saluki athletics. Men's and women's basketball and swim and dive all had two home contests, while track and field resumed their indoor season in Indiana.
Men's Basketball (8-11, 2-6)
Men's basketball lost a pair of home games this past week.
On Wednesday, Drake came to Carbondale and beat the Salukis 76-73 in overtime. Damien Mayo Jr. led the Salukis with 19 points, while Rolyns Aligbe dropped a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Quel'Ron House also had 11 points.
Southern then fell 73-68 to Belmont on Saturday. Drew Steffe dropped a game-high 24 points, while Jalen Haynes was not too far behind with 22. That duo also each had four assists.
Men's basketball now hits the road for a pair of games this week. On Wednesday, Jan. 21, the Salukis visit Valparaiso at 7 p.m. SIU then goes to Evansville on Sunday, Jan. 25, at 3 p.m.
Women's Basketball (5-12, 2-6)
Women's basketball split their two games this past week.
On Thursday, Southern fell to Murray State 87-74. Indya Green dropped an 18-point, 12-rebound double-double, while Jeniah Thompson was close to one as well with 12 points and nine rebounds. Alayna Kraus and Kynnedi Davis both had 10 points as well.
Southern then picked up their second conference win of the season on Sunday by taking down UIC 63-58. Green had another double-double with 20 points and 15 rebounds. Kayla Cooper joined Green in scoring 10+ with 13, while Kraus and Davis each scored 10 again.
This week, the Salukis host Indiana State on Thursday, Jan. 22, at 6 p.m. Following that, SIU hits the road to visit Belmont on Saturday, Jan. 24, 4 p.m.
Swim and Dive
Swim and dive concluded the home portion of their schedule this past weekend with a pair of meets.
On Friday, the Salukis hosted McKendree. The men's team won 193-107 while the women's team defeated McKendree 208.5-50.5. Olivia Herron has the highlight of the event, breaking the school record in the 200-butterfly and the 400-IM.
Southern closed the home schedule on Saturday with a women's meet versus Vanderbilt, which was also SIU's Special Olympics meet. The Salukis took care of business, cruising their way to a 183.5-75.5 win.
The Salukis now get some time away from competition before resuming the season on January 30 at Eastern Illinois.
Track and Field
The first track and field meet of 2026 took place this weekend at the Indiana Invitational. Leah Thames and Malik Allen were both event winners for the Salukis, while several members of the squad set new personal bests.
Track and field is back at it this weekend when they host the Don Denoon Classic on Saturday, Jan. 24.
Follow the Salukis
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on X at @SIUSalukis, on Instagram at @siusalukis, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SalukiAthletics/. Fans can also download the "Salukis" Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play Store.
Men's Basketball (8-11, 2-6)
Men's basketball lost a pair of home games this past week.
On Wednesday, Drake came to Carbondale and beat the Salukis 76-73 in overtime. Damien Mayo Jr. led the Salukis with 19 points, while Rolyns Aligbe dropped a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Quel'Ron House also had 11 points.
Southern then fell 73-68 to Belmont on Saturday. Drew Steffe dropped a game-high 24 points, while Jalen Haynes was not too far behind with 22. That duo also each had four assists.
Men's basketball now hits the road for a pair of games this week. On Wednesday, Jan. 21, the Salukis visit Valparaiso at 7 p.m. SIU then goes to Evansville on Sunday, Jan. 25, at 3 p.m.
Women's Basketball (5-12, 2-6)
Women's basketball split their two games this past week.
On Thursday, Southern fell to Murray State 87-74. Indya Green dropped an 18-point, 12-rebound double-double, while Jeniah Thompson was close to one as well with 12 points and nine rebounds. Alayna Kraus and Kynnedi Davis both had 10 points as well.
Southern then picked up their second conference win of the season on Sunday by taking down UIC 63-58. Green had another double-double with 20 points and 15 rebounds. Kayla Cooper joined Green in scoring 10+ with 13, while Kraus and Davis each scored 10 again.
This week, the Salukis host Indiana State on Thursday, Jan. 22, at 6 p.m. Following that, SIU hits the road to visit Belmont on Saturday, Jan. 24, 4 p.m.
Swim and Dive
Swim and dive concluded the home portion of their schedule this past weekend with a pair of meets.
On Friday, the Salukis hosted McKendree. The men's team won 193-107 while the women's team defeated McKendree 208.5-50.5. Olivia Herron has the highlight of the event, breaking the school record in the 200-butterfly and the 400-IM.
Southern closed the home schedule on Saturday with a women's meet versus Vanderbilt, which was also SIU's Special Olympics meet. The Salukis took care of business, cruising their way to a 183.5-75.5 win.
The Salukis now get some time away from competition before resuming the season on January 30 at Eastern Illinois.
Track and Field
The first track and field meet of 2026 took place this weekend at the Indiana Invitational. Leah Thames and Malik Allen were both event winners for the Salukis, while several members of the squad set new personal bests.
Track and field is back at it this weekend when they host the Don Denoon Classic on Saturday, Jan. 24.
Follow the Salukis
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on X at @SIUSalukis, on Instagram at @siusalukis, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SalukiAthletics/. Fans can also download the "Salukis" Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play Store.
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