TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State men's basketball closed out the 2024-25 regular season with a Senior Day victory over the Southern Illinois Salukis, 95-77. The Sycamores closed out the season with a 14-17, 8-12 MVC record while SIU finished 13-18, 8-12 MVC.
 
This was game No. 31 for the Sycamores, marking the final game of the regular season. The full bracket will be release from the MVC win all games are complete. Click here for the MVC's website and here to follow them on X (Twitter).
 
The Sycamores found an early 6-3 lead with two buckets from Samage Teel and one from K'mani Doughty. A three by SIU and a dunk by Markus Harding made the score 8-6 in favor of the Sycamores at the first break with 16:12 on the clock.
 
Indiana State pulled ahead 16-8 around the 14:30 mark with three-straight baskets, including a triple from Teel from the top of the key. That basket was a layup from Jaden Daughtry, the first of three-straight from Daughtry as he went on score seven-straight for the Sycamores. Indiana State led 21-14 at the 11:45 media timeout with the Sycamores making nine of their first 14 shots.
 
The Salukis began to show full-court pressure, but the Sycamores showed poise beating the press before Derek Vorst found Aaron Gray on a backdoor cut and two-handed slam. SIU's offense kept pace with Indiana State with the Sycamores leading 28-23 with eight minutes to play. Both teams through this point each made four of their last five shots.
 
Teel was the first Sycamore to reach double digits with deep three beating the shot clock with 7:18 on the clock, only for Vorst to follow finishing a tough left-handed and-one. Vorst's free throw gave Indiana State their largest lead of the game so far, 36-24.
 
Josiah LeGree got into the scoring column going coast-to-coast with 5:18 left in the half, then two possessions later he found Camp Wagner on the wing for his second three-pointer of the game. That put Indiana State ahead 45-28 with just over 4:15 remaining.
 
Between the two media timeouts (8:00 to 3:42), Indiana State went on a 17-5 scoring run, and the Sycamores kept climbing with a Daughtry layup putting the team up 22 points, 50-28. Indiana State took a 52-31 lead into the halftime break.
 
In the first half, the Sycamores shot 64.5% (20-for-31) from the field and 46.2% (6-for-13) from three. Daughtry (11) and Teel (10) were already into double figures.
 
Indiana State opened the second half outscoring the Salukis 11-5 via a Gray corner three, Teel finding Harding for an alley oop layup, a Gray finishing and-one, and a Teel left-wing trey. The Sycamores led 63-36 just three minutes into the half.
 
At the 13:45 mark, Daughtry found Bruno Alocen for a three-pointer, his first points of the game. Coming out of the under-12 media timeout, Teel made all three free throw attempts and Wagner followed two possessions later with a three-pointer, giving the Sycamores a 78-50 lead with 10:40 left in the game.
 
Two more free throws and a fastbreak layup by Gray gave the Sycamores their first 30-point lead of the day, 85-54 with 7:39 left in the game.
 
Wagner stopped a Saluki 5-0 run with his sixth three of the day, but the Salukis matched with a three-pointer of their own in the ensuing possession. Indiana State held a comfortable 88-59 lead with just about five minutes left in the game.
 
Head coach Matthew Graves began clearing his bench, and Merritt Alderink seized the opportunity by finishing a layup at the rim.
 
Coach Graves subbed each of the three seniors – K'mani Doughty, Aaron Gray, and Samage Teel – on their own for each to exit to a standing ovation. Indiana State went on to win on Senior Day, 95-77.
 
Samage Teel led all scorers with 20 points on 6-for-10 shooting, also recording four rebounds and a game-high six assists. Both Aaron Gray and Camp Wagner finished with 18 points. Gray made 7-of-11 and notched a double-double with 11 rebounds, while Wagner's 18 points all came from behind the arc on 6-for-10 from deep. Jaden Daughtry scored 15 points making 7-for-8 from the field. K'mani Doughty chipped in nine rebounds and five assists.
 
News & Notes

• Indiana State wrapped up the regular season with a 14-17 overall record and 8-12 in the Missouri Valley.
• Scoring 95 points, it's the most since putting up 95 in overtime on January 8 at Valparaiso. In regulation only, it's the most since December 21 when the Trees scoring 101 against UHSP.
  • The 52 first-half points tied the most points scored in a half this season since the first half at UIC on February 1.
• The Trees shot 59.3% (35-for-59), marking the second-best performance from the field (60.7% on December 1 against Tarleton State).
  • Indiana State finished 76.7% (23-for-30) from inside the arc, the third-best mark of the season (78.4% vs UHSP on December 21, 77.8% vs Tarleton State on December 1).
• The Sycamores dished out 23 assists in the game, the most since recording 27 against UHSP on December 21.
• Indiana State grabbed 41 rebounds twice in the last three games (41 at Belmont on February 22).
• The Sycamores never trailed in the game after putting the first points on the board (39:07 time with lead).
• With 44 points scored in the paint, it's the most since February 8 at Drake (44).
• Samage Teel notched his 15th 20-plus point game this season. It's the 15th time he's lead the Sycamores in scoring, and his six assists mark the 22nd time leading in assists.
• Aaron Gray finished with double-digit rebounds for the fifth time this season and his fourth double-double. His last double-double came at Drake on February 8 with 17 points and 12 rebounds.
• Camp Wagner has six-plus three-pointers in two of the last three games (nine at Belmont on February 22 and had six this afternoon). He has made five or more triples seven times this year.
• Jaden Daughtry finished with 15 points, the fourth time this year recording back-to-back games with 15-or-more points. He also tied his career high in assists with three.
• Josiah LeGree's six points are his most in a game since finishing with eight on January 21 at Illinois State.

Senior Day
Before the game, Indiana State recognized four seniors: K'mani Doughty, Aaron Gray, Samage Teel, and manager Zach Miller.
 
Zach will graduate with his bachelor's degree in applied medicine with a minor in Massage Therapy. K'mani will graduate with his second bachelor's degree in criminal justice and criminology. Aaron master's degree in Sport Management. Samage will graduate with his bachelor's degree in general studies with minors in Sociology and Sport Management.
 
Postgame Press Conference Presented by Team Green Law

 
 
Up Next
Indiana State awaits the next game time after wrapping up the regular season on Sunday. The Sycamores are set to play on the opening day of the State Farm MVC Tournament held at the Enterprise Center but are awaiting the opponent and game time. That announcement will be made from the league office.