GAME NOTES: The Southern Illinois Salukis will try to pick up their fifth win in a row as they visit the Show Me Center to tangle with the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks on Wednesday.

SIU has notched four straight non-conference victories for the first time since 2009. During their current winning streak, the Salukis have downed Illinois-Chicago (67-60), SIU Edwardsville (79-67) and Austin Peay (71-49). Coach Barry Hinson's squad is two games above the .500 mark after eight outings, despite ranking last in the Missouri Valley Conference in assists per game (9.3). SIU is 2-2 in true road tests.

The Salukis dominated Austin Peay in their last outing as they hit on 48.3 percent of their field-goal attempts, including a 6-of-14 clip from beyond the arc. SIU forced the Governors into 18 turnovers and also held APSU to a mere 2- of-18 shooting from 3-point range. The Salukis managed to win by a 22-point margin even though junior shooting guard Anthony Beane was limited to nine points. Beane, who is ranked third in the MVC in scoring (19.8 ppg) has poured in 82 games over his previous three games. Sophomore forward Sean O'Brien has also played a big role for SIU, scoring in double-figures in all but one game en route to averages of 12.6 points, 6.5 assists and 1.9 assists. Freshman forward Jordan Caroline has made an immediate impact for the Salukis with 8.4 ppg and 6.4 rpg, including an MVC-leading 3.1 offensive boards per tilt.

This year marks the 114th meeting between Southeast and SIU on the hardwood. The Salukis currently own a 69-44 lead in the all-time series which dates back to 1913-14. SIU owns a five-game winning streak in the series and swept the Redhawks the last time these teams did a home-and-home series.

The Redhawks have yet to string together consecutive wins over Division I opponents this season, but have a chance to accomplish that on Wednesday following their 63-59 decision over Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday. SEMO owns a 4-4 ledger, but all of its losses came to respectable foes in Loyola Marymount (76-66), San Diego (67-56), Bowling Green (62-54) and Missouri (65-61). Coach Dickey Nutt's team has allowed only one of its opponents to surpass the 70-point mark this season and ranks second in the Ohio Valley Conference in scoring defense (62.1 ppg).

The Redhawks also have a talented scorer to lean on as senior guard Jarekious Bradley is posting 17.2 ppg to pace the team. Senior forward Nino Johnson is adding 11.1 ppg and 6.5 rpg for SEMO, which has also received solid production out of sophomore guard Antonius Cleveland (10.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg). Bradley finished his last outing with 21 points despite hitting on only 1-of-9 attempts from behind the 3-point line. Cleveland had a solid all-around showing, tallying 12 points, eight boards, four assists and two blocks.

SIU's winning streak is more than likely going to end at the Show Me Center. The Salukis have found a way to pick up decisions despite their undersized lineup to this point, but the Redhawks have oversized guards along with reliable rebounding forwards. It is very unlikely Bradley has another ice- cold shooting night.