CARBONDALE, Ill. - Norfolk State is back on the road, this time taking on Southern Illinois. The Spartan men's basketball team will face the Salukis on Wednesday at 8 p.m. EST at SIU's Banterra Center.

NSU is in the midst of an 11-game stretch in which it plays 10 of those away from Joseph Echols Hall, including six in a row away from home beginning with SIU. The Spartans are looking to end a five-game losing streak.

Media Coverage
The game will be shown live on ESPN+, available online or through the ESPN app. Fans can also follow along with the live stats.

Series History
This will mark the first-ever meeting between NSU and Southern Illinois, the eighth opponent so far this year the Spartans have faced for the first time.

Scouting Southern Illinois
The Salukis own a 3-5 record on the year, most recently falling at Saint Louis 69-60 on Sunday. SIU also owns a 16-point win over MEAC opponent North Carolina Central in a home game last week. On the season, the Salukis have scored just 63 points per game while only giving up 62.

They shoot 45 percent from the floor, while opponents are hitting just 39.5 percent overall, 28 percent from deep. SIU is +1.5 in turnover margin but -8.9 on the glass. No player averages even five rebounds a game for the Salukis.

Their leading scorer is Aaron Cook with 15.0 points per game, although he's missed the last two games. Marcus Domask (14.0 points) and Barret Benson also score in double figures, and the trio shoots at least 51 percent from the floor. Benson, in fact, is hitting 67 percent from the floor with a team-best 4.8 rebounds. Eric McGill (8.3 points) has also started every game this year.

Last Time Out
Niagara held off NSU in a Sunday afternoon game at Joseph Echols Hall, as the Purple Eagles topped the Spartans 65-61. Niagara led by five at the half but then trailed by six midway through the second half. But the Purple Eagles used a 12-0 run to take the lead back for good, holding off the Spartans late when they got to within a single possession several times.

Two players scored in double figures for NSU, including Jermaine Bishop with 17 points and nine rebounds. Steven Whitley added 13 points and four assists as NSU hit just 36 percent from the floor.

Niagara hit 40 percent and outscored NSU 25-8 in points off turnovers and 15-9 in fastbreak points. Greg Kuakumensah totaled 16 points and six rebounds for the Purple Eagles (1-5). James Towns finished with 13 points. The Spartans, meanwhile, won the rebounding battle, 41-33.

Recent Trends
 • NSU has outscored its last two opponents 25-9 in second-chance points thanks to being +28 in rebound margin during that time
 • The Spartans have had at least 15 turnovers in each of the last 5 games
 • In 6 of the Spartans' 9 games this year, they have scored the same amount or more points in the second half than the first.
 • They have also had the same amount or more fouls than the opposition in 7 of 9 games this season.

MEAC Rankings
The Spartans rank 1st in the MEAC in scoring defense (64.1), scoring margin (+9.6), field goal % defense (38.9), 3-point field goal defense (27.0), opponent rebounding (34.4), defensive rebound % (74.5), assists (14.1), steals (8.8), and assist-turnover ratio (1.0). They are also second in scoring offense (73.7), field goal % (43.0), 3-pointers (7.9), 3-point field goal % (34.1), rebounding margin (+4.9), offensive rebounds (12.4), and turnover margin (+2.00).

National Rankings
On a national level, Norfolk State stands 29th in 3-point field goal % defense (27.0), 53rd in steals (8.8), 64th in turnovers forced (16.56), 69th in offensive rebounds (12.44), 75th in field goal % defense (38.9), 83rd in rebounds (39.33), 89th in rebound margin (+4.9), and 96th in scoring defense (64.1).

Player Facts
Steven Whitley
 • Averaging 12.7 points (16-of-32) and 4.7 assists last 3 games
 • Ranks 6th all-time at NSU in assist average (4.22) and 11th in assists (321)
 • Stands 4th in the MEAC in assists (3.6), 6th in assist-turnover ratio (1.3), 7th in steals (1.6), and 25th in scoring (9.6)
 • Ranks No. 229 in the nation in assists (3.6)
 • In NCAA D-I active career leaders, ranks No. 30th in steals (142), 37th in assists (358), No. 73 in games played (107) and No. 123 in rebounds (459)

Jermaine Bishop
 • Has 15 rebounds last 2 games
 • Ranks 1st in the MEAC in 3-point field goals (2.8), 3rd in free throw % (84.0), 4th in scoring (15.1), 6th in 3-point field goal % (41.7), 10th in minutes (31.7), and 11th in assists (2.4)
 • Stands No. 67 in the nation in 3-point field goals (2.78), No. 68 in 3-point field goal % (41.7), and No. 248 in scoring (15.1)
 • Set new career high with 9 rebounds vs. Niagara

Joe Bryant Jr.
 • Ranks 1st in the MEAC in free throw % (100.0), 4th in 3-point field goal % (43.2), 7th in steals (1.6), 9th in field goal % (45.6), 10th in 3-point field goals (1.8), and 13th in scoring (11.8)
 • Played in career high 33 minutes at Monmouth with 19 points, tying career high by hitting 6-of-6 from the free throw line

Devante Carter
 • Ranks 1st in the MEAC in steals (2.3) and assist-turnover ratio (1.4), 2nd in field goal % (53.0), 3rd in assists (3.7), 14th in defensive rebounds (4.0), 18th in rebounding (5.0), and 20th in scoring (9.9)
 • Stands 42nd in the nation in steals (2.33), No. 208 in assists (3.7), and No. 215 in double-doubles (1)
 • Tied career high with 7 rebounds vs. Niagara

Yoro Sidibe
 • Ranks 3rd in the MEAC in offensive rebounds (2.5), and 16th in rebounding (5.4)
 • Stands No. 181 in the nation in offensive rebounds (2.50) and No. 215 in double-doubles (1)

Chris Ford
 • Ranks 4th in the MEAC in blocks (1.4)
 • Stands No. 109 in the nation in blocks (1.44)
 • Tied career high with 6 rebounds at Monmouth

Kashaun Hicks
 • Averaging 6.0 points last 3 games
 • Tied season high with 6 rebounds vs. Niagara