CARBONDALE, Ill. — On Saturday evening, Kennard Davis played a pivotal role in leading Southern Illinois to a decisive 73-49 victory over Northern Iowa, contributing a remarkable 24 points to the team’s success.

In addition to his scoring, Davis secured 10 rebounds, showcasing his all-around performance for the Salukis, who improved their season record to 8-11 overall and 3-5 in the Missouri Valley Conference.

Ali Abdou Dibba also made significant contributions, adding 14 points to the scoreboard while maintaining an efficient shooting percentage, hitting 4 of 9 shots from the field and nailing all six of his free throw attempts. Damien Mayo Jr. contributed as well, finishing the game with 10 points after shooting 4 of 7.

For Northern Iowa, Tytan Anderson was the leading scorer with nine points, along with two steals to his credit. Teammates Max Weisbrod and Trey Campbell each also scored nine points, but it wasn’t enough to secure a win on the road.

Southern Illinois took control of the match right from the start, grabbing the lead just 15 seconds into the first half and never looking back. By halftime, the Salukis had established a commanding 33-15 lead, with Davis accounting for 10 of those points.

The Salukis continued to dominate in the second half, stretching their advantage to as much as 59-32 thanks to a strong 12-0 run. Davis finished the game strong, adding 14 points in the latter half to solidify the team’s victory.

Looking ahead, Southern Illinois will take on Murray State at home this Wednesday, while Northern Iowa is set to face Missouri State at home on Tuesday.