Carbondale Reporter

Southern Illinois basketball team achieved a significant victory against Evansville, winning 68-59 at Ford Center. This win marked Southern's fourth consecutive road victory in the Missouri Valley Conference, a feat not accomplished since the 2015-16 season.

Key players for the Salukis included Jarrett Hensley and Ali Dibba, each scoring 18 points, and Kennard Davis Jr., who added 14 points. The team had a strong first half, leading 38-23, with impressive shooting from behind the arc. Hensley and Davis contributed significantly to this lead with their successful three-point shots.

Evansville made a comeback attempt in the second half, reducing Southern's lead to four points at one stage. However, Damien Mayo Jr.'s timely play helped regain momentum for Southern Illinois. Dibba also played a crucial role by scoring 14 of his total points in the second half.

Southern Illinois outrebounded Evansville 42-39, with notable contributions from guards Davis, Drew Steffe, Mayo, and Dibba. The team finished with a season-high of 15 three-pointers during the game.

Tayshawn Comer was a standout performer for Evansville, scoring a game-high of 25 points along with five assists and four rebounds.

Looking ahead, Southern Illinois will face UIC on Saturday at Banterra Center. Fans are encouraged to attend using promotional offers available through SIUSalukis.com.

For more updates on Southern Illinois basketball, fans can visit their official website or follow them on social media platforms including X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook. A mobile app is also available for download from major app stores.