Dawgs stifle Redbirds in 54-50 victory

Tuesday, February 3

Normal, IL

6:00 PM

Southern Illinois University

10-13,4-8MVC

Illinois State

15-8,7-5MVC

Southern Ill.

Illinois St.

Quel’Ron House

Photo by: Abby Harris

02/03/2026 | 11:01:00 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Jordan Kruse, SIUSalukis.com

NORMAL, Ill. - Southern Illinois held Illinois State to just 31.7% shooting in a massive 54-50 victory Tuesday night in Normal. The 50-point total was the Redbirds' lowest in a home game since Jan. 14, 2024.

Quel'Ron House and Rolyns Aligbe were the stars for SIU, as House poured in 22 points and Aligbe collected his fourth double-double of the season with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

The Salukis struggled offensively themselves, scoring just 54 points, which included just one made three on the night.

SIU played without senior leader Damien Mayo Jr., and Head Coach Scott Nagy noted the low scoring, which has been uncommon over the course of his career.

"You don't have Mayo on the road against Illinois State, you're thinking 'Oh, that's not good," Nagy said. "I haven't won too many games 54-50. We'll do whatever we have to do."

After a quick start from the Redbirds, leading scorer Chase Walker picked up two fouls in a span of 24 seconds, forcing Head Coach Ryan Pedon to sit his star at the 15:18 mark of the first half. Taking him off the floor proved to be a critical loss, as his team made just two field goals until Jack Daugherty's three with 2:44 to go.

SIU could not take full advantage and ended up trailing 24-22 at the half after a four-point play from Landon Wolf to end the half.

The teams went back-and-forth in the second half, but freshman Jaylen Haynes' and-one layup with 1:24 to go in the game put Southern up by two possessions at 49-44. The Redbirds could not score again until 27 seconds left, which was too little too late.

SIU improves to 10-13 on the season and sits 4-8 in Missouri Valley Conference play.

UP NEXT
SIU hosts Murray State on Friday night with tipoff scheduled for 6 p.m.

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