The second game of Southern Illinois University’s basketball double-header took place at 6 p.m. on Saturday, December 30. The men’s team (8-4; 0-1 MVC) hosted the University of Illinois-Chicago, who boasted a 7-5 record (0-1 MVC), coming off of a loss to Incarnate Word the week prior. 

The game started as many SIU fans would assume. The Salukis won the opening tipoff, with the first points of the game being scored by guard Xavier Johnson; a fastbreak three after an opponent turnover. 

Johnson is one of the best scorers in the country, currently ranked second in points per game with 24.1. Tonight was yet another impressive performance from the veteran guard. 

The Salukis maintained a strong hold on the game when sophomore guard A.J. Ferguson nailed a turnaround mid-range jumper, which pushed the Salukis’ lead to 15-7. They held that mark until 11:31 left in the first half, when a media timeout was called. 

After the media timeout, it was time for the Flames to get hot. After going basket for basket with the Salukis, they ultimately shrunk the Dawgs’ lead to just one, 25-24, with 4:57 remaining in the half. 

UIC’s first lead of the game would take place just a couple plays later, when guard Isaiah Rivera would make a pullup jump shot with 4:01 left in the half. 

The lead was short-lived, as the Salukis stormed back with a 7-2 run to close out the half after heroics from Johnson, Ferguson and forward Clarence Rupert. 

The Dawgs led 32-30 at half. 

Freshman Kennard Davis would be the first to put points on the board in the second half after a triple just 38 seconds in. 

The Salukis would continue to put the pressure on early. Although many plays weren’t perfect for SIU, the ball happened to find its way through the nylon. 

It all culminated when veteran forward Troy D’Amico put in a three-pointer to push the Dawgs’ lead to 44-37, with 10:12 remaining in the game. 

Despite the valiant effort by Southern, UIC would then answer with two straight triples, silencing the crowd and shrinking the lead back down to just one point. 

At the next available media timeout, with 7:58 left in the game, SIU held a 44-43 lead. 

The Salukis would spend the next few minutes scratching and crawling away from the Flames as both teams traded buckets on the floor. It all culminated with 1:52 left in the game, when Johnson scored a tough layup to make the score 55-50, in favor of the Salukis. 

Because of this, UIC was forced to use one of its timeouts and regroup. 

After the break, senior guard Trent Brown forced a turnover, which led to an open fastbreak three-pointer from Xavier Johnson, who pushed the lead to eight. A comeback for Chicago would be very unlikely. 

Johnson then knocked down four more free throws to close out the game, as the Salukis stomped out the Flames on offense. 

The final score would stand 62-50, with the Salukis standing tall. 

Johnson finished with 31 points, three rebounds, five assists, and two steals to lead the home team. Rupert added 12 of his own, to go along with six rebounds and four blocks. 

SIU’s next contest will be on Tuesday, January 2 against the Belmont Bruins (9-4; 2-0 MVC). The game will take place at the Banterra Center in Carbondale at 7 p.m.

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