(WSIL) - Saluki fans were treated with a comeback for the ages Saturday night as SIU came back to win after being down 20 points to Murray State.
SIU and Murray State met for the first time this season, with the Salukis sitting in the number five spot in the conference and the Racers in the sixth spot.
The first half was all Murray State with Rob Perry knocking down threes and pulling in 14 points for the game.
Alden Applewhite also was good from long range and expanding Murray State’s large lead over SIU.
SIU down by 8 to start the second half. Murray expanding their lead to 20 points later on.
Salukis still had a lot of fight in them and showed that late in the game. In fact, the Salukis were down 55-35 with 14 minutes left when they went on a 25-3 run to close out the game.
Xavier Johnson scores the game winning basket with 2.8 seconds left and the Salukis stun Murray State.
Both coaches had different emotions after the game.
"There was still really good communication between our guys, our older guys in the huddles and they just kept talking about possession by possession we can get this back and we can do it we can do it and I think that belief ultimately led us to being successful,� SIU Basketball Head Coach Bryan Mullins said.
"This is sports you know we got to respond from me to my staff to the players to the fans we need everybody because this is a gutwrencher,� Murray State Basketball Head Coach Steve Prohm said.
Murray State will finish January on Tuesday night where they will host Illinois State. SIU will host Missouri State on Wednesday night.
