CARBONDALE, Ill. – The High Point University men's basketball team hit the road for its final non-conference road game of the season. Making the trip to Carbondale, Illinois, the Panthers picked up a dominant win over the Southern Illinois Salukis, 94-81.
Extending the Panthers overall record to 12-2, HPU broke the Division I program record for non-conference wins. The Panthers had previously set the record in 2023-24 during
Alan Huss' first year as head coach.
"Winning on the road is difficult," Head Coach
Alan Huss stated. "I am pleased that our team found a way to get the job done. Our unselfishness, especially early in the game, was fantastic today."
Site: Banterra Center
Score: High Point 94, Southern Illinois 81
Records: High Point (12-2), Southern Illinois (5-7, 0-1)
The High Point offense was rolling throughout the game, leading to the teams most points scored against a DI opponent this season. As a team the Panthers shot 57.9% from the field and 35.0% from three-point range. HPU did not have its normal game at the line as the team went 21-for-32 for 65.6%. The Panthers were led by four players in double-figures including a season-high 24 points from
D'Maurian Williams.
Kezza Giffa tagged 19 points,
Kimani Hamilton added 12 points and
Bobby Pettiford had 10 points.
Pushing the pace early, the Panthers jumped out on an early lead after opening the game with multiple threes. Williams heated up fast taking the ball to the hoop on three straight possessions for the 14-9 lead at 14:40.
SIU knocked down a three-pointer to keep the game within seven, 30-23 at the 7:54 mark. A 9-0 run by the Panthers extended the lead to 39-23 after picking up multiple steals.
Juslin Bodo Bodo intercepted a pass and dribbled down for the two-handed slam, followed by
Chase Johnston with a layup and a three.
Trae Benham knocked down back-to-back threes from the perimeter to give HPU its largest lead of the game, 45-26 with 3:51 to go in the first half. Southern Illinois answered and closed the game back to 10 with a pair of free throws with 36 seconds left in the first. Two free throws from Giffa kept High Point up, 51-37 at the half.
The Salukis opened the second half with energy, cutting the Panthers lead to seven, 53-46 after five minutes of action. HPU stayed true to the process and pushed its lead back up to over 10, pressing to a 15-point spread with a reverse layup from
Josh Ibukunoluwa off a pass from Pettiford.
The Panthers held on to a steady 12-16 point lead through the final 10 minutes of the game. Both teams entered the bonus with five minutes to go but the Panthers kept the Salukis from closing the gap with the clock stopped at the line. HPU ran out the clock at the end to earn the 94-81 victory.
UP NEXT:
High Point takes a week break before returning home to the Qubein Center on December 29 to host Norfolk State at 2:00 p.m.
#GoHPU x #Onthe Prowl
