As a roar of ‘SIU’ chants filled Banterra, Coach Scott Nagy led the Salukis to their first Missouri Valley Conference win of the season… barefoot.
While Nagy roamed the sidelines with no shoes to raise awareness for Samaritan’s Feet, a tradition he brought with him to SIU, the Dawgs beat Missouri State 88-78 to snap their five-game losing streak and notched their first conference win since Feb. 25, 2024.
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SIU’s overtime victory was led by Jarrett Hensley who notched the second consecutive 30-plus point game as he piled up 30 points on 11-for-16 shooting. He filled out the statsheet with a block, two steals and six rebounds.
Nagy was impressed with Hensley’s performance and thinks that he’s found a new home for Hensley.
“There should be no more arguing about which position he should play, he should feel good about playing at the five. He’s a hard matchup at the five,” Nagy said.
“I’m proud of our guys for obviously not losing the lead, but not caving when it went into overtime,” Nagy said. “Our guys were obviously very disappointed, but they were able to get it and play well and make free throws when we needed to.”
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The Dawgs’ 88 points were the most they’ve scored all season.
“Our offense is getting better. It’s still not anywhere where I would like it,” Nagy said. “Our mantra now is kind of embrace the ugliness… the only way we’re going to win is by embracing the ugliness.”
While Missouri State kept the game close through the opening minutes of the first half, a 16-4 Saluki run built SIU a comfortable 25-13 lead and a 35-27 lead heading into the break.
SIU held their lead throughout the second half, but the Bears came screaming back with under two minutes to play
Missouri State got within four, 69-65 with 1:46 left to play, before closing to 72-69. The Bears’ Chase Martin hit a three to tie the game, and the game was sent to overtime.
The Dawgs couldn’t miss in overtime. Hensley poured in seven more points, including an emphatic dunk to start OT, and Drew Steffe also scored seven in the frame to lead to a 10-point SIU victory. Steffe’s 16 points were a career-high, bolstered by shooting 50% from three-point range.
“To see him knock down three threes today was big, it’s big for our team, and he just needs to let that thing fly,” Nagy said.
Damien Mayo Jr., who previously played at Missouri State, was back in the starting lineup for the contest and swiped four steals throughout the game.
SIU forced 19 turnovers, including 11 turnovers and scored 21 points off them.
Nagy largely played a six-man rotation against the Bears; Ali Dibba and Kennard Davis Jr. both played all 40 minutes, while Mayo played 37, Steffe played 32, and Hensley and Sheridan Sharp played 31 each.
With the win, the Salukis move to 6-11 overall and 1-5 in the MVC. They will face off against MO State again on Jan. 15, this time in Springfield, Missouri.
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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