Jalen Pendleton’s goal with 2 seconds to play proved the difference in Wichita State’s 64-62 loss at Southern Illinois on Tuesday. 

Whether the goal was legitimate or not is the question. 

WSU’s Ehimen Orukpe was called for the goaltend on Pendleton’s shot, a play that looked like a clear block to everyone but the referees. 

Wrong call or not, the game shouldn’t have come down to the final possession. 

The Shockers held a 29-12 lead with 7:28 to play in the first half and were on the verge of running away with the win. Instead, SIU finished the half on a 23-7 run to cut WSU’s lead to only a point at the break.

The Salukis outplayed WSU most of the second half and held a 57-48 lead with 5:45 to play. WSU rallied to take a 59-58 lead after a basket by Cleanthony Early, and again at 62-60 with 1:07 to play following a Carl hall tip-in. 

Pendleton took the ball down the court for an easy basket to tie the game at 62, and a WSU turnover gave the ball back to SIU with 11 seconds to play. 

That’s when Pendleton took the game into his own hands, getting the questionable goaltend call to win the game for SIU. 

The loss is the third in a row for WSU, which falls to 19-5 overall, 8-4 in the Missouri Valley Conference. SIU entered Tuesday’s game with a league-worst 1-10 conference record.