RICHMOND, Va. — Winning on the road is tough, especially with 22 turnovers. That’s what the Southern Illinois men’s basketball team faced in their 93-84 overtime loss to Richmond at the Robins Center.
Head coach Scott Nagy expressed his frustration, saying, “We should have never been in overtime. There were three loose balls that we just looked at. Twenty-two turnovers, and we lose in overtime. I’m just sick about it.”
The Salukis started slowly but found their rhythm with two key 3-pointers from senior Damien Mayo Jr. They led 36-32 at halftime and grew their advantage to nine points early in the second half. However, Richmond struck back with a 16-0 run, highlighted by Quel’Ron House, who scored at the 8:42 mark.
In a thrilling finish, House tied the game at 74 with a layup and a free throw. Richmond’s final shot rolled off the rim, pushing the game into overtime.
The Salukis scored first in the extra period with Rolyns Aligbe hitting a shot while being fouled. He missed the free throw and soon fouled AJ Lopez, who made both free throws. From there, Richmond took control and never looked back.
Aligbe led Southern Illinois with 19 points and 11 rebounds, while House contributed 17 before fouling out. Jalen Haynes, a freshman, added 12 points, continuing his scoring streak. The team struggled from beyond the arc, making only 4 of 13 three-pointers, with Mayo accounting for three of those.
Richmond’s Aiden Argabright played a pivotal role in the comeback. After a quiet first half, he scored nine points in the second half and overtime while also drawing multiple fouls that added to Southern Illinois’s turnover woes.
The Spiders relied on their depth, with six players scoring in double figures, including Will Johnston and Jonathan Beagle. Richmond’s strong performance improved their record to 9-1, making them a formidable opponent this season.
With the loss, Southern Illinois’s record dropped to 6-5. They will now return home to face Illinois State on December 18, hoping to turn things around as they begin MVC play.
One interesting fact is that teams with high turnover rates often struggle to win, as evidenced by recent studies. In games where teams commit 20 or more turnovers, their winning percentage drops significantly, underscoring the importance of ball control in tight matchups.
Tracking user reactions on social media, fans voiced frustration about the game, expressing hopes for better execution in future games.
As the Salukis gear up for the rest of the season, building stronger performances on both ends of the court will be crucial for success.
For ticket information and details about upcoming games, visit the Southern Illinois ticket site.
