Strong Defense Propels SIUE Past Southern Indiana in Tight Game

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EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – The SIUE men’s basketball team held on to a narrow lead to defeat Southern Indiana 59-55 Thursday at First Community Arena, marking their first game playing as the 66ers.

The victory improved SIUE’s Ohio Valley Conference record to 2-1 and its overall record to 9-5. Southern Indiana fell to 3-10 overall and 0-3 in the conference.

SIUE never trailed in the game, relying on a strong defensive effort that kept Southern Indiana off the scoreboard for more than three minutes early on. Southern Indiana missed its first 12 field goal attempts and only scored on free throws until a layup by Tolu Samuels with 11:13 remaining.

Offensively, SIUE struggled in the first half, shooting just 32 percent, but led 28-23 at halftime. The 66ers extended their lead to 10 points at 41-31 with 13:32 left after a three-pointer from Darius Robinson. Former Southern Indiana player Jack Campion contributed 11 points and four steals for SIUE, making it 50-40 with 8:23 remaining. The 66ers twice pushed the lead back to double digits, but Southern Indiana responded each time.

In the closing moments, Southern Indiana’s Josiah Dunham scored following a steal to narrow the gap to 56-52 with 34 seconds left. Sheridan Sharp made a basket to bring the score to 57-55 with 13 seconds remaining. After a foul by Southern Indiana, Ring Malith made two free throws to secure the final margin.

Malith led SIUE with 12 points, while Campion added 11, and Arnas Sakenis tied his career high with 10 points and two blocks. Jo Valrie scored nine points, and both Kyle Thomas and Darius Robinson contributed seven points each. Thomas also grabbed a game-high eight rebounds. Samuels was the only Southern Indiana player in double figures with 14 points.

SIUE shot 36 percent from the field (19-for-53), while Southern Indiana shot 35 percent (18-for-52).

SIUE will continue its four-game home stand with a game against Morehead State on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

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