SIU’s second half comeback, sparked by a 16-4 scoring run to start the half and led by Ali Dibba’s 25 in the frame, ultimately wasn’t enough as they lost to Belmont 90-86.
Dibba played the entire second half and was virtually unstoppable, going 10-13 from the floor, including 4-5 from three. His 33 points marked a career-high, and he also racked up nine rebounds. It was the first 30-point game of the season for the Salukis, and the first since February 2024.
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“He’s probably got the quickest first step of anyone I’ve ever coached,” Nagy said. “He’s very explosive, and when he makes some shots, then he becomes nearly impossible to guard.”
Jarrett Hensley started the second half onslaught, followed by layups by Drew Steffe and Dibba. Dibba and Belmont’s Aidan Noyes traded free throws, then Damien Mayo knocked down a three.
“I’m talking to you like you’re 15-0, not 5-10. This is the way I’d talk to a team that’s 15-0, they took it, and they obviously responded very well,” head coach Scott Nagy said.
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Noyes tipped in a bucket, and Dibba answered with a three, but Kennard Davis Jr. wouldn’t be outdone and hit a three of his own. A jumper and free throw by Hensley tied the game up, and Davis Jr. hit a three to give the Salukis their firstlead of the half, 53-50.
The half was driven by big scoring off turnovers; the Salukis scored 18 points off 7 Belmont turnovers, which contributed heavily to their comeback.
While the turnovers helped, the defense, according to Nagy, didn’t get it done.
“We scored 86 points and lost. It’s not our offense, it’s our defense. Our defense is not good, and until we get that changed… it’s gonna be a struggle,” Nagy said. “It’s the defense that’s the problem.”
The Salukis cooled down around the 13 minute mark of the second half and traded blows with Belmont for the rest of the half en route to seven ties and 10 lead changes.
The fatal mistake for the Dawgs came with 20 seconds left and the game tied 83-83. Tyler Lundblade, who put up 14 points in the game, was fouled on a three-point shot by Drew Steffe. Lundblade made all three shots and put Belmont up 86-83.
Belmont burned a foul before a missed Davis Jr. three, and Sheridan Sharp was forced to foul. Carter Whitt essentially iced the game for the Bears with two free throws to lengthen the gap to 88-83 before Dibba cut it to 88-86 with one second on the clock. Dibba’s subsequent foul sent Isaiah Walker to the line to reach the final score of 90-88.
SIU’s zone defense was a big factor in getting them back in the game, and was anchored by Hensley, who helped clog the paint. Hensley also put up 11 points, including seven in the second half, before fouling out with 90 seconds left to play.
Davis Jr. was also a big factor on the defensive end, earning four steals, while Dibba had three of his own.
Though the game was close, Nagy wasn’t satisfied.
“I’m not into this moral victory stuff. There were so many little things that we have to clean up, but there’s a different feel in terms of having a broken heart after this game because we put everything into it versus the pain of regret, which is what we’ve had,” Nagy said.
SIU (5-10, 0-5) will return home to the Banterra Center and search for their first Missouri Valley Conference win in a matchup with Missouri State at 6 p.m. on Jan. 11.
Sports reporter Ryan Grieser can be reached at [email protected]. To stay up to date on all your southern Illinois news, be sure to follow The Daily Egyptian on Facebook and on X @dailyegyptian.
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