Xavier Johnson leads the hunt with 25 points
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – After back-to-back losses, one to Austin Peay, 70-68, on December 12, and Wichita State, 69-68, on December 16, the Salukis rebounded with a decisive 13-point, 76-63, win over North Dakota State University Tuesday December 19 at the SIU Arena.
Two of those three games, were narrow losses and tough to deal with. The 2-point loss to Austin Peay at the SIU Banterra Center and 1-point loss at Wichita State were really hard to swallow.
When the NDSU Bison came to town, it was time to right the ship and get the winning ways started again. The Salukis accomplished that goal with a great, exciting, and very entertaining, 76-63, victory over the Bison.
SIU’s Xavier Johnson (10) fires a jumper at the 19-22 mark of the game against North Dakota State University Tuesday December 19 at the Banterra Center at SIU. Johnson led all scorers with 25 points. He was 4-for-4 from the free throw line, 1-for-3 from 3-point land, 10-of-19 from the field. Additionally he grabbed 4 rebounds, had 2 steals, and dished out 5 assists. He has been the No.1 scorer nationally in the country in the early weeks of play. Jim Beers Photo
The first 10 minutes of the game the score was back-and-forth with both teams tied 21-21 midway through the first half (10:00). The Salukis then put it in high gear and went on a 10-0 run to lead, 31-21.
The Saluki defense played tough and held the Bison without a 3-point basket until midway through the second half. The Bison 3-pointer was the end of a brief 7-0 NDSU run that cut a very tasty, 58-41 SIU lead to 58-49.
The Bison were big and fast, however, and used the inside to keep pace with the Dawgs most of the game. The Salukis used 5-of-10 three-point shooting to keep the Bison at bay and down the stretch, SIU extended its lead to 13 points as they led, 76-63, at the end of regulation.
Jarrett Hensley (32) a 6-8, 212 lb. forward for the Salukis, guards North Dakota State’s Noah Feddersen (34) Tuesday December 19 when the Salukis hosted the Bison. Since being cleared to play, the senior transfer Cincinnati has proven to be a fantastic find for the Dawgs. Hensley scored 3 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, and dished out 3 assists, Jim Beers Photo
In the game, SIU led, by 11 points, 42-31, at halftime and outscored NDSU, 34-32 in the second half to win the game by 13 points, 76-63. The lead changed three time in the game and the score was tied four times.
The Salukis were 30-of-55 from the field (54.5%) and made 5-of-10 from the 3-point arc (50%). From the free throw line, the Dawgs made 11-of-15 shots (73.3%). The Salukis had 27 points from their bench, six fast break points, 9 second-chance points, 40 points in the paint, and 14 points off of turnovers.
Santa Claus has been at every SIU Basketball game during the month of December visiting with kids and passing out goodies. He is located on the upper concourse of the Banterra Center just to the right of the main entrance. Shown here Marek Sawicki, age 5, visits with Santa prior to the SIU vs NDSU game Tuesday December 19. Sawicki is the grandson of Jim and Vicky Beers of Chester. Jim Beers Photo
In the win, SIU had four players score in double figures led by Xavier Johnson who scored 25 points. Johnson still leads the nation in points scored. Other double digit scorers included newcomer Jarrett Hensley (14), Scottie Ebube (13), and Trent Brown (11). Other offensive contributors were Kennard Davis, Jr. (6), Clarence Rupert (4), and Troy D’Amico (3).
The Salukis also recorded 28 rebounds (tied with NDSU), 17 assists (10 for NDSU), 1 block (0 for NDSU), and 7 steals (tied with NDSU). On the negative side, the Dawgs committed 11 turnovers (NDSU committed 14).
The Bison had two players score in double figures including Boden Skunberg (19) and Noah Feddersen (10). Seven other Bison scored in their loss including Damari-Wheeler-Thomas (9), Andrew Morgan (7), Tajavis Miller (Jacari White (4), Darik Dissette (4), Lance Waddles (2), and Joshua Streit (2).
Head Coach, Bryan Mullins said, “I thought for the most part we played 40-minutes of good basketball. Defensively it was one of our better performances to eliminate their threes.”
After the Christmas break the Salukis will host the University of Illinois Chicago at 6 p.m. Saturday December 30, and Belmont Tuesday January 2 at 7 p.m.