The Southern Illinois Salukis suffered a 73-68 defeat at the hands of the Belmont Bruins Saturday night in Carbondale, Illinois. The loss was marked by two significant scoring droughts for Southern Illinois – 12-0 runs surrendered in both the first and second halves.
Late-Game Struggles Define Loss
Despite a strong offensive showing from Drew Steffe and Jaylen Haynes, who combined for 46 points – with both players achieving career-highs of 24 and 22 points respectively – the Salukis were unable to close out the game. The team faced this challenge while playing without guards Quel’Ron House and Isaiah Stafford.
Steffe initially propelled Southern Illinois to a 24-20 lead with a three-pointer, but the team then failed to score on their final eight possessions of the first half. Belmont capitalized, going on a 12-0 run to take a 32-24 lead into halftime. The second half saw a similar pattern, with Southern Illinois briefly regaining the lead thanks to Steffe’s scoring, but ultimately succumbing to another 12-0 run by Belmont in the closing minutes.
Looking Ahead
The Salukis’ next game is scheduled for Wednesday, January 21, against Valparaiso in Northwest Indiana, with a 7 p.m. tipoff. It is possible that addressing late-game defensive stops, as highlighted by Steffe (“We’ve just gotta get stops down the stretch…go guard”), could be a focus in preparation for the upcoming contest.
Head Coach Scott Nagy expressed optimism despite the loss, stating his belief that the team will “look back on this and see the blessings that are gonna come from it.” This suggests a focus on learning from setbacks and building resilience within the program.
With the loss, Southern Illinois’ overall record falls to 8-11, and their Missouri Valley Conference record is now 2-6.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the game?
The final score was Belmont Bruins 73, Southern Illinois Salukis 68.
Who led the Salukis in scoring?
Drew Steffe led the Salukis with 24 points, followed by Jaylen Haynes with 22 points. Both performances were career-highs.
When is the Salukis’ next game?
The Salukis will play Valparaiso on Wednesday, January 21, at 7 p.m. in Northwest Indiana.
How important is consistency in basketball, and what adjustments might the Salukis need to make to find it?
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