Salukis vs. Racers Clash Friday Night in Carbondale
Carbondale, Illinois, is set to host an exciting basketball matchup between the Southern Illinois Salukis and the Murray State Racers this Friday night. The game is slated for 7 p.m. at the Banterra Center, marking a significant occasion as the Salukis will retire the jersey of Hall of Famer Mike Glenn. Fans will enjoy a free jersey giveaway courtesy of the Dawg Pound, along with a reception starting at 4 p.m. in the First Mid Lounge.
Game Overview
The upcoming clash features two teams with contrasting seasons. The Salukis come into the game with a record of 10 wins and 13 losses (4-8 MVC), while the Racers boast a 17-7 record (9-4 MVC). Murray State is looking to maintain its strong performance after recovering from a recent slump.
Murray State Racers
Murray State began the Missouri Valley Conference season with eight consecutive wins but faced a four-game losing streak shortly afterward. They recently bounced back with an impressive 81-74 victory over UIC on Tuesday.
- Key Players:
- Javon Jackson – averaging 16.5 points per game, second in the MVC.
- Roman Domon – impactful freshman, leading with 18 points against UIC.
- Fred King – also ranks among the top scorers with 13.5 points per game.
- Team Statistics:
- Averages 86.08 points per game, leading the MVC and ranking 24th nationally.
- Leads in free-throw percentage (76.6%), rebounds (38.0 RPG), and blocked shots (4.13 BPG).
- Defensively, allows 79.04 points per game, the highest in the MVC.
Southern Illinois Salukis
The Salukis, under the leadership of Head Coach Scott Nagy, achieved a milestone by marking his 600th career victory against UNI on January 28. Southern Illinois features a balanced offense, with eight players averaging over 18 minutes on the court.
- Top Scorers:
- Quel’Ron House – leads the team with 13.9 points per game.
- Rolyns Aligbe – contributes significantly with 9.8 points per game and leads in rebounds with 7.0 per game.
- Other contributors: Drew Steffe (9.4), Damien Mayo Jr. (9.0), Jalen Haynes (8.3), Prince Aligbe (7.6), and Isaiah Stafford (7.3).
- Shooting Performance:
- Field goal percentage sits at 46.0%, ranked 140th nationwide.
- Struggles from beyond the arc, averaging only 4.8 three-pointers per game.
Recent Performance
In their last outing, the Salukis secured a narrow 54-50 victory over Illinois State. Quel’Ron House shone with 22 points, while Rolyns Aligbe recorded his fourth double-double this season with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
Follow the Action
Fans looking for updates on the Salukis can visit Filmogaz.com and follow the team on social media. Catch all the game action at the Banterra Center this Friday night as Southern Illinois takes on Murray State.
