Carbondale, Ill. – Playing an exhibition contest at Division I Southern Illinois, the Maryville men's basketball team battled the Salukis before SIU pulled away for a 75-55 win. The Saturday tilt was an official game for the Salukis. SIU opened the second half with a 14-2 run to pull away from the Saints. Ari Jackson paced the Saints with 13 points, while Jaeden Smith and Harrison Vickers both chipped in nine points off the bench. Kelvin Swims grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.
 
What Happened:
After SIU opened the scoring with a bucket, the Saints took their first lead after a turnaround jumper by Davis Walker and one free throw from JT Morgan. The Salukis went back ahead before layups by Morgan and Jackson drew the Saints to within 9-7.
 
The Saints were down by six until Smith sank a wing jumper, and Gary Pendleton powered up for a layup to pull Maryville to within 20-18 with just under six minutes to play in the half. SIU found the range from deep and sank three 3-pointers but Smith splashed a triple and Swims drove for a layup. SIU closed the half on a 9-2 run to take a 37-25 lead at halftime. Maryville forced SIU into eight turnovers while only giving it up four times themselves. The Saints grabbed four offensive rebounds while not allowing SIU to snare any of its own misses.
 
SIU tallied the first five points after the break before Swims sank a turnaround jumper in the lane. The Salukis hit three straight 3-point shots during their 14-2 burst and pushed their cushion to 49-27 at the 15:50 mark of the second half. Jackson drilled a 3-pointer and back-to-back layups by Smith drew the Saints back to within 61-43 with 9:42 left in the game. However, Maryville never got closer than that margin the rest of the way.
 
Statistical Leaders:
Points: Ari Jackson - 13
Rebounds: Kelvin Swims - 7
Assists: Ari Jackson and JT Morgan - 3
3-Pointers: Ari Jackson - 2
Steals: Ari Jackson - 2
 
Records:
Maryville: 7-3
Southern Illinois: 7-4
 
What's Next?
Maryville takes a break for the holidays and returns to the court on Thursday, Dec. 30, as Principia visits for a 3:15 p.m. start in Moloney Arena.