EVANSVILLE, Ind. — In an exciting matchup on Wednesday evening, Southern Illinois secured a 68-59 victory over Evansville, with standout performances from several key players.

Ali Abdou Dibba led the charge for the Salukis, contributing 18 points along with seven rebounds, showcasing his all-around skill. Fellow teammate Jarrett Hensley also made significant contributions, matching Dibba’s point total with 18 points, and demonstrating impressive shooting accuracy by hitting 5 of 11 attempts from the field, including 4 for 7 from beyond the arc. Kennard Davis supported his team’s efforts with 14 points, shooting 4 of 13 overall, while converting 3 out of 7 three-point attempts and finishing 3 for 4 at the free-throw line.

On the other side of the court, Tayshawn Comer put forth a strong effort for the Purple Aces, ending the night with 25 points, along with five assists and two steals. Gabriel Pozzato contributed another 13 points for Evansville, while Connor Turnbull added valuable support with seven points, eight rebounds, and four blocks.

Southern Illinois gained an advantage early, taking the lead with 16:38 remaining in the first half and never looking back. The Salukis ended the first half with a comfortable 38-23 lead, bolstered by Davis’s strong showing of 13 points. Although they were outscored by Evansville by six points in the second half, Southern Illinois ultimately maintained their lead, thanks in part to Dibba’s impressive 14 points scored during that period.

This win places Southern Illinois at 11-13 for the season, with a 6-7 record in the Missouri Valley Conference, while Evansville falls to 9-15 overall, also at 6-7 in conference play. The competitiveness of the game highlighted the resilience and determination of both teams.