Spring sports have started for Southern Illinois University (SIU) Athletics, with the softball and men’s golf teams beginning their seasons this week. Winter sports are also continuing.
The men’s basketball team currently holds a 9-13 overall record and is 3-8 in conference play. This week, they defeated UNI 65-50, marking head coach Scotty Nagy’s 600th career win. Rolyns Aligbe led with a double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Quel’Ron House contributed 17 points and five assists. The team then lost to UIC on Saturday, 68-66. Damien Mayo Jr. scored 20 points, including five three-pointers, and Aligbe added another 12 points. The Salukis will face Illinois State on Tuesday, February 3 at 6 p.m., before returning home to play Murray State on Friday, February 6 at 7 p.m.
The women’s basketball team is now at a record of 6-13 overall and 3-7 in conference games after losing to Murray State in a close match, ending with a score of 79-75. Alayna Kraus tied her career-high by scoring 23 points while playing nearly the entire game. Indya Green had a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Kayla Cooper and Jeniah Thompson also reached double digits in scoring. This week, SIU’s schedule includes away games against UIC on Thursday, February 5 at 7 p.m., followed by Valparaiso on Saturday, February 7 at 1 p.m.
The swim and dive teams competed twice over the weekend. On Friday, both squads defeated Eastern Illinois and broke a total of twenty pool records at Padovan Pool through performances from eighteen swimmers. On Saturday against Missouri, both SIU teams were defeated but individual wins came from Liseska Gallegos Gutierrez, Willem Huggins, Olivia Herron, and Oliver Mebs. The focus now shifts to the MVC Championships set for February 25–28 in Evansville, Indiana.
In track and field action at the PNC Lenny Lyles Invitational this weekend, ten Saluki athletes achieved new personal bests. Malik Allen led the men’s triple jump while the men’s relay team also performed strongly atop Missouri Valley Conference leaderboards. The next event for track and field will be the Heartland Invitational on February 13–14.
Women’s golf is currently competing in its first spring tournament—the Advance Golf Partners Collegiate—in Palm City, Florida; play continues through February 3.
Softball opens its season this week at the FGCU Kickoff Classic in Fort Myers, Florida with matches scheduled against Charlotte (February 6), Florida Gulf Coast (February 6), Charlotte again (February 7), Ball State (February 8), and Long Island (February 8).
Men’s golf begins its spring season as well with competition starting Sunday, February 8 at Palmas Del Mar Collegiate in Puerto Rico.
Fans can stay updated by following SIU Athletics on X (@SIUSalukis), Instagram (@siusalukis), or Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SalukiAthletics/). The “Salukis” Mobile App is available for download via the App Store or Google Play Store.
