CARBONDALE, Ill. — In an exciting match on Saturday night, Southern Illinois triumphed over Missouri State with a score of 88-78, thanks largely to the impressive performance of Jarrett Hensley, who netted 30 points.

Hensley also contributed six rebounds to the Salukis’ efforts, while Drew Steffe proved crucial in overtime, adding seven points to his total of 16. Steffe had an efficient shooting night, going 5 for 9 overall, including a commendable 3 for 6 from beyond the arc, along with a 3 for 4 showing at the free-throw line. Ali Abdou Dibba rounded out the scoring for Southern Illinois with 13 points, having made 5 of 14 attempts from the field and converting 3 of 4 free throws. This victory marked a significant turnaround for the Salukis, ending a five-game losing streak.

For Missouri State, Vincent Brady II led the team with 24 points, while Zaxton King added 23 and Chase Martin chipped in with nine. Martin played a pivotal role in pushing the game into overtime by sinking a 3-pointer with just 22 seconds remaining in regulation, which tied the game at 72.

Throughout the contest, Southern Illinois built on their lead after holding a modest four-point advantage in the second half. They launched a decisive 9-0 run that extended their lead to 13 points, bringing the score to 63-50 with just over five minutes left in the half. Dibba was instrumental in the second half, scoring 13 points and helping to solidify the win for the Salukis.