NCAAB · Final

Belmont Bruins Edge Southern Illinois Salukis 73-68

Saturday, January 17, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · Banterra Center

Belmont Bruins 73, Southern Illinois Salukis 68, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won Belmont Bruins vs Southern Illinois Salukis?

Belmont Bruins beat Southern Illinois Salukis 73-68 at Banterra Center on January 17, 2026.

Who was favored in Belmont Bruins vs Southern Illinois Salukis?

Belmont Bruins were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -180 (about 64% implied). The favorite won.

In a closely contested matchup, the Belmont Bruins defeated the Southern Illinois Salukis 73-68 at the Banterra Center on January 18, 2026. This victory marks Belmont's third consecutive win, while Southern Illinois has now lost three straight games. The Bruins improved their record to 18-3, showcasing their strong performance throughout the season, while the Salukis fell to 8-12.

Belmont entered the game with a solid recent form, boasting a record of 8-2 in their last ten games, averaging 80.6 points scored and allowing 72.4 points per game. They have been particularly strong on the road, holding a 5-1 record away from home. In contrast, Southern Illinois struggled, with a 4-6 record in their last ten outings, scoring an average of 74.4 points while allowing 74.6 points. Their home record stands at 2-2 in the last ten games, indicating challenges in defending their home court.

The two teams had met earlier in the season on January 4, 2026, where Southern Illinois narrowly won 68-67. Their head-to-head record now stands at 2-1 in favor of Belmont over the last two seasons, with the Salukis having won their previous encounter but losing the last two meetings.

In terms of injuries, the block does not provide specific details affecting either team, but the overall performance and recent form suggest that both squads were at competitive strength for this matchup.

The game was closely contested throughout, with Belmont maintaining a slight edge in scoring. The Bruins were favored by 3.5 points according to DraftKings, with a total set at 151.5. The odds reflected a strong belief in Belmont's ability to secure the win, which they ultimately did.

The conditions of the game were typical for a basketball matchup, with both teams looking to establish their style of play early. Fans were treated to a thrilling contest, with several key scoring plays in the second half that shifted momentum. Notably, Jabez Jenkins made crucial free throws and a dunk that helped extend Belmont's lead in the final minutes.

As the game progressed, Southern Illinois fought hard to close the gap, but Belmont's experience and composure in critical moments proved decisive. The Bruins' ability to execute under pressure, particularly with free throws and timely three-pointers from Jalen Haynes, allowed them to maintain their advantage.

Viewers should have noted the intensity of the rivalry, as both teams displayed a strong desire to win, making for an engaging atmosphere. The final score of 73-68 not only highlights the competitive nature of the game but also sets the stage for future encounters between these two programs.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	BEL -3.5	151.5 o -115 / u -105	Belmont Bruins -180 · Southern Illinois Salukis +150

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsDrew Steffe24Southern Illinois Salukis
AssistsDrew Steffe4Southern Illinois Salukis
ReboundsRolyns Aligbe8Southern Illinois Salukis
PointsEoin Dillon18Belmont Bruins
AssistsJack Smiley3Belmont Bruins
ReboundsSam Orme7Belmont Bruins

Recent form

Southern Illinois Salukis

Last 10: 4-6Streak L274.4 scored · 74.6 allowed per game2-2 at home

L73-76vs Drake BulldogsJan 15
L57-70at UIC FlamesJan 8
W68-67at Belmont BruinsJan 4
W75-70vs Valparaiso BeaconsJan 1
L81-84at Murray State RacersDec 30
L69-73at Bradley BravesDec 21
L68-75vs Illinois State RedbirdsDec 19
L84-93at Richmond SpidersDec 13
W83-54vs UT Martin SkyhawksDec 11
W86-84at High Point PanthersDec 4

Belmont Bruins

Last 10: 8-2Streak W380.6 scored · 72.4 allowed per game5-1 away

W78-74vs Valparaiso BeaconsJan 14
W78-76at Drake BulldogsJan 10
W78-65at Northern Iowa PanthersJan 8
L67-68vs Southern Illinois SalukisJan 4
W88-78vs Bradley BravesJan 2
L80-81at Indiana State SycamoresDec 30
W84-58at UC Irvine AnteatersDec 20
W83-78at Evansville Purple AcesDec 17
W87-84vs UIC FlamesDec 13
W83-62at Middle Tennessee Blue RaidersDec 7

Standings

Team	Overall	Games behind	In conference
Belmont	26-6	-	16-4
Bradley	21-13	3	13-7
Illinois State	23-13	4	12-8
Murray State	20-13	4	12-8
UIC	19-16	4	12-8
Northern Iowa	23-13	5	11-9
Valparaiso	18-15	5	11-9
Southern Illinois	16-16	6	10-10
Drake	14-20	10	6-14
Indiana State	11-21	12	4-16
Evansville	7-25	13	3-17

Box score

Stat	Belmont Bruins	Southern Illinois Salukis
Field goals	26-62	21-58
Field goal %	42	36
Three-pointers	5-25	9-25
Three-point %	20	36
Free throws	16-23	17-20
Free throw %	70	85
Rebounds	41	37
Offensive rebounds	13	10
Defensive rebounds	28	27
Assists	12	15
Steals	7	5
Blocks	7	5
Turnovers	9	12
Team turnovers	0	1
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	16	13
Fast-break points	9	7
Points in the paint	42	22
Fouls	18	18
Largest lead	9	5
Lead changes	8	8
Time in front	58	35

How the scoring went

2nd Half43-35Drew Scharnowski makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half44-35Drew Scharnowski makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half44-37Rolyns Aligbe makes layup (Drew Steffe assists)
2nd Half44-39Drew Steffe makes layup
2nd Half46-39Drew Scharnowski makes 2-foot dunk (Win Miller assists)
2nd Half46-40Drew Steffe makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half46-41Drew Steffe makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half46-44Damien Mayo Jr. makes 24-foot three point jumper (Jalen Haynes assists)
2nd Half46-45Drew Steffe makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half46-46Drew Steffe makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half46-47Drew Steffe makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half46-48Drew Steffe makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half46-49Drew Steffe makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half46-50Drew Steffe makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half48-50Jack Smiley makes layup
2nd Half48-51Drew Steffe makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half50-51Jack Smiley makes 13-foot pullup jump shot
2nd Half50-54Drew Steffe makes 25-foot three point jumper (Damien Mayo Jr. assists)
2nd Half51-54Eoin Dillon makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half52-54Eoin Dillon makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half55-54Eoin Dillon makes 24-foot three point jumper (Sam Orme assists)
2nd Half55-55Max Pikaar makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half55-56Jalen Haynes makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half55-57Jalen Haynes makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half55-59Jalen Haynes makes 10-foot step back jumpshot
2nd Half57-59Jack Smiley makes 14-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half57-62Jalen Haynes makes 22-foot three point jumper (Drew Steffe assists)
2nd Half59-62Eoin Dillon makes layup
2nd Half62-62Eoin Dillon makes 23-foot three point jumper (Jack Smiley assists)
2nd Half64-62Sam Orme makes layup
2nd Half65-62Jabez Jenkins makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half66-62Jabez Jenkins makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half67-62Eoin Dillon makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half68-62Jabez Jenkins makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half69-62Jabez Jenkins makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half69-65Jalen Haynes makes 24-foot three point jumper
2nd Half71-65Jabez Jenkins makes 3-foot dunk (Sam Orme assists)
2nd Half71-68Jalen Haynes makes 26-foot three point jumper (Caden Hawkins assists)
2nd Half72-68Jabez Jenkins makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half73-68Jabez Jenkins makes free throw 2 of 2