Carbondale Reporter

Despite a strong performance from Ali Dibba, Southern Illinois was unable to overcome top-seeded Drake in the Missouri Valley Conference quarterfinals. The game ended with a score of 70-53 in favor of Drake at the Enterprise Center.

Ali Dibba led Southern Illinois with 19 points on 7-of-14 shooting. Drew Steffe contributed 11 points, including three successful three-pointers, while Kennard Davis Jr. added 10 points. However, the team struggled with their long-range shots, managing only five out of eighteen attempts.

Southern Illinois played without starting guard Damien Mayo Jr., who was sidelined due to concussion protocol following an injury against Indiana State.

The Salukis managed to keep up early in the game, tying the score four times in the first half. However, Drake took control with an 11-1 run that established a ten-point lead at 27-17. By halftime, Drake extended their advantage to 36-25 as Southern Illinois failed to score in the last three minutes and twenty-two seconds of the half.

In the second half, Southern Illinois attempted to reduce the deficit but turnovers hindered their efforts. Drake capitalized on these mistakes, scoring nineteen points off fifteen turnovers by Southern Illinois.

Isaia Howard led Drake's offense with 21 points off the bench and hit four three-pointers. Bennett Stirtz supported with fifteen points and five assists while Tavion Banks achieved a double-double with ten points and eleven rebounds.

Drake's depth proved decisive as they outscored Southern Illinois' bench by thirty-one to six and dominated inside scoring with a thirty-six to twenty-four edge in paint points.

On rebounds, Davion Sykes led Southern Illinois with eight boards as his team collected thirty-two rebounds compared to Drake's thirty-four.

Fans can follow updates on Southern Illinois basketball through SIUSalukis.com or via social media platforms such as X (@SIU_Basketball), Instagram (@SIU_Basketball), and Facebook (Facebook.com/SIUBasketball). The "Salukis" mobile app is also available for download from both major app stores.