Behind 19 points from Ron Baker and 18 from Cleanthony Early, the Shockers (13-0 Missouri Valley Conference) managed to put Southern Illinois away, becoming the first team since Memphis in 2008 to start 26-0.
All that stands in the way of becoming the first team since Saint Joseph's in 2004 to have a perfect regular season are five more games.
Anthony Beane scored 25 points for the Salukis (10-16, 6-7), getting to the rim at will until late in the game, when the Shockers finally started to double- and triple-team him.