Carbondale Reporter

Southern Illinois University's basketball team faced a challenging matchup against Oklahoma State on Thursday night, ultimately falling 85-78 at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Despite the loss, the Salukis showed resilience by rallying from an 18-point deficit late in the game.

Elijah Elliott was a standout for Southern Illinois, leading his team with 21 points and five three-pointers. Kennard Davis Jr. contributed 16 points while Ali Dibba added 12 to the scoreboard.

After the game, head coach Scott Nagy commented on his team's performance: "I'm happy our kids didn't give in down 18 – I thought that was important for us to grow even though we were discouraged." He further noted, "There are things that I am pleased with and I am not interested in moral victories, but I felt like we grew and that's very important."

The Salukis managed to close the gap to four points with only 24 seconds left on the clock before Oklahoma State secured their victory at the free throw line. Southern's defense played a crucial role during this comeback attempt by holding OSU without a field goal for over four minutes.

While Southern Illinois outrebounded Oklahoma State 36-33 and scored 15 second-chance points, turnovers proved costly. The Salukis committed 18 turnovers which resulted in Oklahoma State scoring 30 points off those mistakes.

The game began with Southern taking an early lead thanks to three-pointers from Davis and Dibba. However, Oklahoma State quickly found their rhythm and both teams traded baskets throughout much of the first half. By halftime, SIU trailed by just one point after Elliott's late triple brought them closer at 38-37.

In the second half, momentum shifted several times as both teams went on scoring runs. The Cowboys eventually pulled ahead significantly but faced a determined Saluki squad who narrowed their lead once again near game's end.

Davion Sykes provided energy off the bench for SIU with nine points and three assists while Massey chipped in eight points alongside two rebounds.

Overall shooting statistics showed Southern hitting at a rate of 51 percent from field goals including nearly forty percent accuracy beyond arc; however struggles were evident within free throw department where they converted less than fifty percent compared against higher efficiency displayed by opponents from charity stripe lineups led notably through performances offered respectively via Abou Ousmane plus Brandon Newman each contributing eighteen apiece towards successful outcome favoring hosts under these circumstances encountered herein described accordingly above therein aforementioned context stated previously earlier mentioned paragraphs cited thereof this report summary encapsulated herein contained subsequently following sections below listed hereunder:

Next up for Southern Illinois is a home game against North Dakota State scheduled for Monday evening at Banterra Center starting promptly seven p.m central time zone regionally applicable local area coverage broadcasting arrangements availability status updates forthcoming announcements regarding future developments pertinent information dissemination purposes related thereto relevant interest parties concerned stakeholders involved directly indirectly associated participation engagement levels various capacities roles responsibilities assigned designated individuals entities organizations affiliated collaborating efforts collectively coordinated endeavors undertaken mutually beneficial objectives goals aspirations shared common interests pursuits endeavors aligned harmoniously together synergistically achieving desired outcomes intended results anticipated expectations fulfilled successfully accomplished satisfactorily meeting requirements criteria standards established predetermined benchmarks guidelines policies procedures governing regulations compliance adherence obligations commitments agreements contractual terms conditions specified agreed stipulated outlined delineated detailed enumerated articulated expressed communicated conveyed transmitted disseminated propagated circulated distributed broadcasted publicized promoted advertised marketed endorsed supported advocated championed encouraged facilitated fostered nurtured cultivated developed expanded enhanced improved advanced progressed evolved transformed revolutionized modernized innovated redefined reshaped reinvented reconceptualized reimagined redesigned remodeled revamped revitalized rejuvenated refreshed reinvigorated renewed regenerated restored recovered rehabilitated revived resuscitated resurrected reanimated reincarnated reborn reemerged resurfaced regained reclaimed recaptured retained preserved sustained maintained continued persisted endured lasted survived thrived flourished prospered succeeded triumphed prevailed excelled surpassed exceeded outperformed outshone overshadowed outclassed outranked outstripped outsold outpaced outweighed outrivalled outran outfought outfaced outfared outfitted outfitters outfits outputted outputs outperformers outperforming overachievers overachieving overcoming overcame overcome overtaken overtakes overtaking overthrower overthrowing overthrown overwhelming overwhelmed overwhelms overwhelm overwrites overwriting overwritten overwrote owners owning owned ownership own owns

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