CARBONDALE, Ill. — In an impressive performance, Kennard Davis led Southern Illinois to an 86-64 victory over Missouri S&T on Friday evening.
Dedicating his skills on both ends of the court, Davis not only scored 22 points but also contributed with five rebounds, eight assists, and an impressive seven steals for the Salukis, who now have a record of 1-1.
Elijah Elliott added 14 points, shooting an efficient 5 of 10 from the field, although he struggled slightly with his long-range shooting, making just one out of five attempts from beyond the arc. He also hit 3 of 4 free throws.
Ali Abdou Dibba made his mark as well, scoring 12 points on 5 of 11 shooting, including two out of four from three-point territory.
For Missouri S&T, Ryan Sroka topped the scoring chart with 13 points, while Aidan Burns contributed with 11 points. Cameron Stovall also played a role, chipping in nine points along with two steals.
The Salukis captured the lead with 11:29 left in the first half and never looked back. Davis, leading his team in the initial half with 10 points, helped secure a 38-33 advantage by halftime.
In the second half, Southern Illinois extended their lead to 47-36, bolstered by a 9-0 scoring streak. Elliott was the standout in that half, scoring a team-best 12 points as Southern Illinois cruised to the finish line with a solid win.