It was a tough night on the court for Saluki basketball as the San Francisco Dons’ guards, sophomore Kahil Shabazz and senior Jordan Ratinho, dominated the game, both scoring in the double digits.

Shabazz scored 13 points and Ratinho scored 15 points, leading the Dons to a win against the Salukis, 76-60. 

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Isabel Miller | @isabelmillermedia

Sophomore guard Harwin Francois attempts a block on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019 during the Salukis' 60-76 loss to the San Francisco Dons inside the Banterra Center.

“I’m disappointed tonight,” Saluki head coach Bryan Mullins said. “We didn’t start off the right way. I thought they came out in the first four or five minutes and really played with a little bit of more energy than us.”

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The Southern Illinois Salukis (2-3) matched up against the San Francisco Dons (4-0)

The teams have only played against each other once before, with the Salukis winning that battle.

The Dons got the first two points of the night with just over 19 minutes in the first half.

The Dons jumped out to an early 7-0 lead with just over 17 minutes in the first half.

The Salukis got their first points of the night when graduate student center Barret Benson hit a big three pointer with just over 16 minutes in the first half. 

The Dons jumped off to a nine point lead 12-3 with just over 16 minutes left in the first half on a three pointer.

Southern Illinois came close to a lead when junior guard Brandon Gooch made a clutch three with just over eleven minutes in the first half, bringing the score to 15-13. 

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San Francisco stopped the momentum by scoring the next two baskets, making it 19-15.

The Salukis trailed the Dons 38-31 at halftime.

Senior guard Aaron Cook would make the first basket less than a minute into the second half, narrowing the Dons’ lead to five points, 38-33.

“It was very tough rebounding the ball,”Cook said. “Their guys were more physical and hungry and they were just more hungry than us tonight.”

The Dons continued to increase their lead, hitting a 19-point lead, 62-43, midway through the half.

The Salukis would try their best attempting a comeback, finishing at 76-60, but it was a little too late as the Dons jumped out early and never looked back.

The Salukis will be playing the Murray State Racers in Murray, Kentucky on Nov. 19 at 7 p.m.

Sports reporter Zach Kramer can be reached at [email protected].

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