Southern's Losing Streak Reaches Four at Valpo

Wednesday, January 21

Valparaiso, IN

7:00 PM

Southern Illinois University

8-12,2-7MVC

Valparaiso

10-10,4-5MVC

Southern Ill.

Valparaiso

Prince Aligbe

Photo by: Jordan Kruse

01/21/2026 | 11:42:00 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Jordan Kruse, SIUSalukis.com

VALPARAISO, Ind. - An early deficit proved costly for the Salukis once again as they dropped their fourth game in a row via a 69-63 loss at Valparaiso on Wednesday night.

First-half deficits have been a recurring theme for the Salukis this season, but the first 20 minutes against the Beacons were arguably Southern's worst of the season. Southern scored just 20 points, shooting 29.6% from the field, going 1-for-9 from the three-point line and just 3-for-7 on free throws. On the other side, Valpo scored 39 points on 50% shooting overall and beyond the arc, taking a 19-point lead into the half.

Justus McNair was a problem for the Salukis, scoring 15 points in the frame and igniting the home crowd.

Head Coach Scott Nagy cited the defense as a major problem in the early going.

"We were a mess defensively in the first half," Nagy said. "I told my players at halftime, it won't matter how good we are offensively if we don't do a better job in the second half defensively, you will not get back in this game, and we did."

Southern cleaned things up in the second half, and the deficit slowly began to close. Trailing by as much as 21, SIU got the deficit down to nine at 43-34 with 13:28 left on the clock. While the Salukis held momentum, the Beacons led by at least two possessions for the remainder of the contest.

Freshman guard Jalen Haynes did everything he could to help his team score late, putting in 11 points in the final 3:09 of the game. His layup brought the game within four with 10 seconds left, but it was too little too late as Valpo's Brody Whiteaker knocked down two free throws to ice the game and give his team a six-point victory.

Prince Aligbe had 10 points and led the team with eight rebounds. He spoke on the team's mentality and the importance of his veteran leadership in an interview with Saluki Radio's Luke Martin after the game.

"I feel like at times guys got complacent, guys kinda come into a game with different mentalities," Aligbe said. "I can't go quiet regardless of how I'm playing, and what I mean by that is that even guys on the bench like I still have to push them and ask them for more because we need more."

SIU is now 8-12 overall and 2-7 in Missouri Valley Conference play.

UP NEXT
The Salukis go to the other side of the Hoosier State to play Evansville on Sunday, Jan. 25. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.

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