The Missouri Valley Conference's Game of the Week was one to remember as the SIU Salukis (17-10, 9-7) scored a massive upset against the No. 23 Indiana State Sycamores (22-5, 13-3).
In what was a back and forth game, with both teams trading the lead throughout the second half, it came down to Troy D'Amico and an injured Xavier Johnson scoring two free throws each to put the Salukis up 74-69 as the clock read 0:00.
Johnson came down after a shot attempt in the second half and was noticeably limping and favoring his right leg the rest of the game.
"We saw him moving a little awkwardly on that leg," Troy D'Amico said in a post-game interview. "I don't know what exactly happened but everybody in the gym could tell that he was a little hobbled. But that just goes to show how much of a warrior he is to stay in the game and keep playing a hundred percent, leave his body on the line. I think that just goes to show how tough he is and how much of a team player he is to risk his body for us."
The first half was all Indiana State, leading by 13 with under six minutes left. The Salukis were able to shorten that lead to six with some big layups by D'Amico and Johnson. Southern Illinois started picking up the pace in the second half, leading early for the first time all game. When it mattered the most, the Saluki's defense stepped in and made several crucial stops, including two near the end of the game by Jarrett Hensley.
"The second half defense was phenomenal," said head coach Bryan Mullins in the post-game press conference. "To hold that team to 38%, some of those big plays we had at the end, that's winning basketball right there, that's championship level basketball; a Sunday March in St. Louis type game."
A 30 point game by Indiana State's Robbie Avila was not enough to beat an SIU team with three players scoring 10 or more points (D'Amico scored 15 and Kennard Davis scored 12). The Salukis were led by Johnson in scoring (21), rebounds (8), and assists (6).
This win snaps SIU's 17-game losing streak against ranked teams and puts SIU at fourth in the MVC. Indiana State's loss puts Drake half a game behind as the season winds down.
With only four games left, there is little room for error for Southern Illinois who will look to build on this win going forward.
"We just got to stay top four, get that first round bye," said D'Amico. "I mean, do the best shot that we can to try and win out here, and then go into March. The goal is just to win, win three games and keep playing."
The fight for the top four starts with a game against Murray State (11-15, 8-7) Wednesday, February 21, at 7:00 p.m. at the Banterra Center. The last time these two teams faced off, SIU overcame a 20 point deficit to win 60-58.
