VALPARAISO, Ind. — In a thrilling matchup on Tuesday evening, Southern Illinois triumphed over Valparaiso with a final score of 79-75, showcasing a strong performance from Kennard Davis, who netted 19 points.

Davis had a challenging shooting night, making only 3 out of 12 attempts, including 2 from deep, but he was perfect from the free-throw line, sinking all 11 of his attempts. The Salukis improved their season record to 10-12 overall and 5-6 within the Missouri Valley Conference. Jarrett Hensley contributed significantly with 13 points, hitting 6 out of 8 attempts from the field, and he also grabbed nine rebounds. Teammate Damien Mayo Jr. also added 13 points, with an impressive shooting performance of 5 for 7, while collecting seven rebounds and contributing at the free-throw line with 3 out of 5.

For Valparaiso, All Wright led the effort with 22 points, delivering four assists and two steals, despite the team facing its sixth consecutive defeat. Cooper Schwieger supported the Beacons’ cause with 13 points and three blocks, while Tyler Schmidt chipped in with 10 points.

Southern Illinois started slow, trailing at halftime with a score of 34-29, but made a comeback in the second half. An impressive 9-1 run allowed them to overcome a four-point deficit, taking the lead at 73-69 with just 26 seconds left on the clock. Notably, Davis shone in the latter half, scoring 12 crucial points to help secure the victory for his team.

In summary, Southern Illinois displayed determination and skill to claim the win, while Valparaiso continues to search for solutions as they face another tough defeat.