Serving the Southern Illinois University community since 1916.

The Daily Egyptian

Serving the Southern Illinois University community since 1916.

The Daily Egyptian

Serving the Southern Illinois University community since 1916.

The Daily Egyptian

The Wham Education Building on SIUs campus.
What's in a name: Wham Education Building
By Thomas Miller, Journalism 201 • July 22, 2024

Connected to the waist of Pulliam Hall is a building that houses a history of education. As with most things rich in history, there is more than...

Lt. Col. Chay M. Derbigny will become commander and a professor of aerospace studies for Air Force ROTC Detachment 205 at 10 a.m. Friday, June 28, at Saluki Alumni Plaza, located between Woody and Pulliam halls on the SIU campus.
Murphysboro native named commander of SIU Air Force ROTC 
By Carly Gist, News Editor • July 15, 2024

Lt. Col. Chay M. Derbigny will soon take over as commander and professor of aerospace studies for Air Force ROTC Detachment 205 at Southern Illinois...

Marcus Domask (left) and Lance Jones (right) during a Purdue-Illinois game Jan. 5, 2024 at
Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Indiana. Photo credit to Illinois Athletics.
Three Former Salukis set to play in NBA Summer League 
By Ryan Grieser, Sports Reporter • July 13, 2024

As the NBA 2K25 Summer League kicked off on July 12, three former Salukis began their professional basketball careers.  Though none of them...

Salukis end three-game losing streak with win over Valpo

Trent+Brown+%2824%29+dives+for+the+ball+after+getting+caught+up+with+Jahari+Williamson+%287%29+of+Valparaiso+Jan.+24%2C+2024+at+Banterra+Center+in+Carbondale%2C+Illinois.
Lylee Gibbs | @lyleegibbsphoto
Trent Brown (24) dives for the ball after getting caught up with Jahari Williamson (7) of Valparaiso Jan. 24, 2024 at Banterra Center in Carbondale, Illinois.
Xavier Johnson (10) shoots for three as Sherman Weatherspoon IV (5) of Valparaiso attempts to block Jan. 24, 2024 at Banterra Center in Carbondale, Illinois (Lylee Gibbs | @lyleegibbsphoto)

Xavier Johnson put up 25 points during the second half of SIU’s comeback against Valparaiso, winning 75-69 on Wednesday night at Banterra Center.

A great response coming in the second half,” Saluki head coach Bryan Mullins said. “The guys played with great energy, great togetherness there that first ten minutes of the second half, and that allowed us to get a lead and keep that lead throughout the whole second half.”

After trailing 34-29 at halftime, the Salukis went on a 23-5 run to begin the second half.

Advertisement

“We knew we had to bring some energy and it was gonna start on defense,” Johnson said. “So we just came out there, trying to get up under guys, trying to make it difficult for them, and our defense led into our offense.”

Johnson shot 6-for-8 in the second half after a slow start, finishing with 27 points overall. Teammate Troy D’Amico hit three three-pointers to help put the Salukis up.

“Talk about another guy who puts in the work,” senior Trent Brown said of D’Amico. “It’s just a common theme, and that’s what we hang our hat on at the end of the day, is just we think we put in the most work.

The Salukis struggled in the first half, particularly from three-point range. Their 3-for-14 mark dragged down the offense and created a deficit the Dawgs would need to climb back from.

Brown finished with 14 points despite struggling from the three-point line (1-for-8). Clarence Rupert provided a dominant presence down low with eight points and eight rebounds on the night.

Having lost three straight games, the win gives the Salukis their first victory in two weeks.

“We just had to get back on track,” Johnson said. “That’s what we did here tonight. It wasn’t easy, but we just had a willingness and a fight in us to get back on track and do what we wanted to do, and just keep getting better.”

Advertisement*

Southern will look to continue its positive momentum into the next game, when it travels to play Murray State on Saturday at 1 p.m.

“Any road game, any home game, any game is an extreme test,” Mullins said. “You’ve got to be ready to play, and you’ve got to be able to play well.”

To stay up to date on all your southern Illinois news, be sure to follow The Daily Egyptian on Facebook and @dailyegyptian on X [formerly known as Twitter].

Jamilah Lewis can be reached at [email protected]. To stay up to date with all your southern Illinois news, follow the Daily Egyptian on Facebook and Twitter.

 

Advertisement

Leave a Comment
More to Discover

Comments (0)

All The Daily Egyptian Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *