A career-high 24 points from Kennard Davis Jr. helped the SIU Salukis set their longest win streak of the season when they beat the University of Northern Iowa Panthers.
The Salukis jumped out to an early lead thanks to a 7-0 run from the opening tip, pumping energy into the Saluki faithful. Jarrett Hensley and Drew Steffe led the scoring early, with five points each to give the Dawgs an eight point advantage only four minutes into the game.
Advertisement
Hensley also was a force on the defensive side of the ball with three blocks and five rebounds in the first half.
SIU’s defense clamped down on UNI in the first half. The Panthers, who had come into the game with the fourth best field goal percentage in the country, shot a paltry 4-for-28 from the field in the first 20 minutes, failed to sink a single three-pointer and found themselves down 35-15 at the half.
“Defensively, we were tough. We were hard to score on,” Saluki head coach Scott Nagy said.
Advertisement*
Out of the break, SIU put on the same show they had in the first half with efficient offense and high pressure defense.
Davis Jr., who had 10 in the first half, one-upped himself with an additional 14 points to finish with 24 on the night along with 10 rebounds. He wasn’t the only Saluki to have a big night; SIU’s leading scorer on the season, Ali Dibba, chipped in with 14 points and Damien Mayo put up 10 of his own.
“We have players playing with more confidence now.” Nagy said. “You watch Mayo, he’s like a different player then he was at the beginning of the year.”
UNI was able to shoot the ball much better in the second half, but SIU was able to outpace the Panthers second half scoring, and never had their lead threatened en route to a 73-49 victory.
The three game win streak is the Salukis’ longest of the season, and with the win, the Dawgs improved to 8-11 on the season and 3-5 in Missouri Valley play. They now sit in a five-way tie for seventh in the conference standings.
The Salukis will be back in action on Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. to take on the rival Murray State Racers at home in a WWE-themed contest.
“We need our students here, we need people to show up Wednesday night.” Nagy said.
Sports Reporter Nick Pfannkuche 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.
Advertisement