Carbondale Reporter

Southern Illinois University’s men’s basketball team will host the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) at 7 p.m. on Friday, November 7, at Banterra Center in Carbondale. The matchup is part of the Charles Helleny Tipoff Classic, which honors longtime Saluki supporter Charles Helleny.

SIU is encouraging fans to attend the game by offering $6 bleacher seats with the promo code PTH at checkout. This marks SIU's first regular-season game against a Division I opponent this season.

The Salukis come into the contest after an 83-42 win over McKendree. Quel'Ron House led SIU with 18 points, and Rolyns Aligbe contributed 11 points. Jalen Haynes, Davion Sykes, and Drew Steffe each added eight points. Caden Hawkins, from Carterville, played ten minutes and made a three-pointer along with four assists.

In that game, SIU recorded 20 assists and only 12 turnovers while outrebounding McKendree 50-33. The team scored 44 points in the paint and converted 14 out of 24 free throws. Caleb Burton was McKendree’s top scorer with eight points.

UMKC began its season with an 80-74 victory over Evangel (NAIA). Jayson Petty led UMKC with 18 points and four three-pointers. The Roos have been picked sixth in the Summit League preseason poll and feature thirteen newcomers alongside two returning players: Petty and Kasheem Grady II. Last season, UMKC finished with a record of 13-20 overall and went 4-12 in conference play under head coach Marvin Menzies, who was named Summit League Coach of the Year for the previous season.

After hosting UMKC, SIU will go on a five-game road trip starting Wednesday, November 12 at Nevada in Reno. The trip includes games against North Dakota State in Fargo; Delaware and UAB during the Jacksonville Classic in Florida; and Memphis before returning home to face Arkansas-Little Rock on Saturday, November 29.

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