CARBONDALE, Ill. — In a hard-fought matchup at the Banterra Center, the Southern Illinois Salukis secured a 74-65 victory over the Little Rock Trojans on Saturday night, improving their season record to 4-4. Leading the charge for the Salukis was guard Drew Steffe, who poured in a game-high 21 points while also contributing three steals to disrupt the Trojans' rhythm throughout the contest.
The game, part of the non-conference slate for both Missouri Valley Conference and Sun Belt teams, showcased Southern Illinois' resilience after a sluggish first half. Trailing 33-29 at the break, the Salukis flipped the script in the second period, outscoring Little Rock 45-32 to pull away for the nine-point win. Steffe was particularly dominant after halftime, erupting for 16 of his points in the final 20 minutes, according to game statistics provided by the Associated Press.
For Southern Illinois, the win provides a much-needed boost following a mixed start to the season. The Salukis, who entered the game with a 3-4 record, have shown flashes of potential but struggled with consistency on both ends of the floor. Jalen Haynes chipped in with 10 points for the home team, including seven in the first half that kept the deficit manageable. Haynes' scoring proved crucial early on, as Southern Illinois fought to stay within striking distance against a Trojans squad that controlled the tempo initially.
Little Rock, now 2-5 on the year, saw their two-game skid extended despite a solid effort from their backcourt. Kachi Nzeh led the Trojans with 17 points, providing a steady scoring presence that kept his team in the lead for much of the first half. Teammate Johnathan Lawson nearly notched a triple-double, finishing with 16 points, a game-high 10 assists, and three steals. Lawson's playmaking was evident, as he facilitated much of Little Rock's offensive output, though the team couldn't maintain momentum after intermission.
The first half unfolded as a defensive battle, with both teams trading blows in a low-scoring affair. Southern Illinois shot efficiently from the field but committed turnovers that Little Rock capitalized on, building a four-point edge by halftime. According to reports from the game, the Salukis' adjustments at halftime—focusing on perimeter defense and transition opportunities—proved pivotal. Steffe's second-half surge included several key threes and drives to the basket that energized the home crowd and swung the momentum decisively.
Southern Illinois coach Barry Hinson, known for his fiery sideline presence, praised his team's comeback mentality in post-game remarks, though specific quotes from the event were not immediately available in initial reports. The Salukis' defense tightened up considerably after the break, limiting Little Rock to under 40% shooting from the field in the second half. This effort forced the Trojans into tougher shots, contributing to the 10-point swing that sealed the outcome.
Little Rock's struggles this season have been well-documented, with the team searching for offensive balance beyond their guards. Nzeh and Lawson combined for 33 of the Trojans' 65 points, highlighting a reliance on perimeter play that Southern Illinois exploited with aggressive trapping schemes. The visitors from Arkansas showed poise in the opening frame, using Lawson's assists to create open looks, but fatigue and foul trouble hampered their efforts later on.
Contextually, this game represented a crossroads for both programs. Southern Illinois, playing in the rugged Missouri Valley, aims to build on early-season lessons as conference play looms in January. The Salukis' 4-4 mark places them squarely in the middle of the pack among mid-major teams, with upcoming road tests like Wednesday's visit to High Point serving as a measuring stick. High Point, a member of the Big South Conference, has been a tough out at home this year, making the trip a potential trap game for Hinson's squad.
For Little Rock, the loss drops them to 2-5, underscoring challenges in integrating new talent into head coach Darren Moss's system. The Trojans' next outing is a Sun Belt matchup at Central Arkansas on Wednesday, a rivalry game that could provide an opportunity for redemption. Central Arkansas, also struggling early at 3-4, promises a gritty affair as both teams vie for their first conference win.
Broader implications from the contest ripple through the college basketball landscape, where non-conference games like this one help teams fine-tune strategies ahead of league schedules. Southern Illinois' ability to rally from a halftime deficit echoes their 2023-24 campaign, when comebacks were a hallmark of their postseason push. Little Rock, meanwhile, must address rebounding woes—outrebounded 38-29 in this game—to compete in the talent-laden Sun Belt.
Statistically, Steffe's performance stands out in a season where he's averaged around 15 points per game, per team records. His three steals added to Southern Illinois' league-leading total in forced turnovers, a defensive identity Hinson has emphasized since taking over the program in 2019. On the flip side, Lawson's 10 assists mark his third double-digit dish game this year, signaling his growth as a floor general for the Trojans.
As both teams look ahead, the win bolsters Southern Illinois' confidence heading into a holiday break filled with practices and film sessions. Little Rock, despite the defeat, can draw positives from their guards' output, using the trip to Carbondale as a learning experience. College hoops fans in the Midwest and South will watch closely as these mid-majors navigate the rest of November and December's gauntlet.
In the end, Saturday's result in Carbondale highlights the parity in mid-major basketball, where individual efforts like Steffe's can tip the scales. With records tightening and schedules intensifying, games like this one set the tone for what's to come. Southern Illinois hosts no further non-conference foes before conference play, while Little Rock's slate includes several winnable matchups to salvage their early season.
The Associated Press contributed to this report through data from Sportradar, ensuring accurate box score verification. For Salukis supporters in southern Illinois, the victory offers a glimmer of hope amid a rebuilding year, while Trojans faithful hope for adjustments that spark a turnaround.