Eastern Illinois Panthers Upset SIU Edwardsville Cougars in OT
Wednesday, March 4, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · Ford Center
Eastern Illinois Panthers 77, SIU Edwardsville Cougars 71, 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 Eastern Illinois Panthers vs SIU Edwardsville Cougars?
Eastern Illinois Panthers beat SIU Edwardsville Cougars 77-71 at Ford Center on March 4, 2026.
Who was favored in Eastern Illinois Panthers vs SIU Edwardsville Cougars?
SIU Edwardsville Cougars were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -198 (about 66% implied). The underdog won.
In a thrilling overtime showdown, the Eastern Illinois Panthers triumphed over the SIU Edwardsville Cougars with a final score of 77-71. This game, held at the Ford Center, showcased the Panthers' resilience, particularly after suffering a significant defeat to the Cougars just a week prior, where they lost 77-50. The victory marked a crucial moment for Eastern Illinois, who had been struggling with a 3-7 record in their last ten games leading up to this matchup.
The Cougars entered the game with a home record of 19-13, having recently recorded a 6-4 mark over their last ten contests. They were on a two-game winning streak, with their previous victories coming against Eastern Illinois and Western Illinois. SIU Edwardsville averaged 67.1 points while allowing 62.2 during this stretch, indicating a solid defensive performance. However, their recent form showed vulnerabilities, particularly in their last five games, where they averaged 65.0 points scored and 64.0 points allowed.
On the other hand, the Panthers, with an overall record of 13-19, had been struggling, particularly in their away games, where they held a 2-3 record. Their recent form was characterized by an average of 66.2 points scored against 72.2 allowed, reflecting their defensive challenges. Despite their struggles, Eastern Illinois managed to secure a win against Lindenwood just before facing the Cougars, but they were still on a one-game losing streak leading into this contest.
The history between these two teams added an intriguing layer to the matchup. In their last four meetings, the Cougars had a 3-1 record against the Panthers, including two wins earlier in the 2026 season. This included a decisive victory just a week prior, which made the Panthers' upset all the more surprising. The previous encounters had seen the Cougars dominate, but Eastern Illinois flipped the script in this game.
In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any notable absences for either team, allowing both squads to field their full rosters. This was a crucial factor, as both teams needed all available players to compete in such a tightly contested game.
The betting market, as reported by DraftKings, had the Cougars favored by 3.5 points with a total set at 128.5. The odds reflected a belief in SIU Edwardsville's ability to secure a home victory, but the Panthers' performance defied expectations and showcased their potential to compete fiercely.
The game conditions were typical for the venue, with the atmosphere charged as fans witnessed a back-and-forth battle. As the game progressed into overtime, the tension heightened, and key plays became pivotal. Notably, Kooper Jacobi's free throws and Jordan Pickett's clutch three-pointer highlighted the Panthers' ability to perform under pressure. Eastern Illinois managed to maintain composure and capitalize on scoring opportunities, ultimately outscoring the Cougars in the extra period.
Fans watching the game were treated to a showcase of determination and skill, particularly from the Panthers, who demonstrated their capability to overcome adversity. The Cougars, despite their solid home record and recent form, were unable to secure the win, leaving them with questions to address as they move forward in the season. This game serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of college basketball, where any team can emerge victorious on any given night.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | SIUE -3.5 | 128.5 o -110 / u -110 | Eastern Illinois Panthers +164 · SIU Edwardsville Cougars -198 |
Leaders
- PointsTyler King19SIU Edwardsville Cougars
- AssistsJack Campion8SIU Edwardsville Cougars
- ReboundsArnas Sakenis12SIU Edwardsville Cougars
- PointsZion Fruster23Eastern Illinois Panthers
- AssistsMeechie White5Eastern Illinois Panthers
- ReboundsTerry McMorris13Eastern Illinois Panthers
Recent form
SIU Edwardsville Cougars
Last 10: 6-4Streak W267.1 scored · 62.2 allowed per game3-1 at home
- W77-50vs Eastern Illinois PanthersFeb 28
- W67-47vs Western Illinois LeathernecksFeb 27
- L53-80at Tennessee State TigersFeb 21
- L52-62at Tennessee Tech Golden EaglesFeb 20
- L76-81vs UT Martin SkyhawksFeb 14
- W74-56vs Southeast Missouri State RedhawksFeb 13
- W71-61at Little Rock TrojansFeb 7
- W78-72at Lindenwood LionsFeb 4
- W58-46at Southern Indiana Screaming EaglesFeb 1
- L65-67at Morehead State EaglesJan 30
Eastern Illinois Panthers
Last 10: 3-7Streak L166.2 scored · 72.2 allowed per game2-3 away
- L50-77at SIU Edwardsville CougarsFeb 28
- W71-67at Lindenwood LionsFeb 27
- L68-70vs Southern Indiana Screaming EaglesFeb 21
- L70-73vs Morehead State EaglesFeb 20
- W78-72vs Little Rock TrojansFeb 14
- L70-79at Western Illinois LeathernecksFeb 11
- W60-54at Tennessee Tech Golden EaglesFeb 7
- L68-77at Tennessee State TigersFeb 6
- L59-77vs Southeast Missouri State RedhawksJan 31
- L68-76vs UT Martin SkyhawksJan 30
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee State | 23-10 | - | 15-5 |
| Morehead State | 20-13 | - | 15-5 |
| Southeast Missouri State | 20-13 | 1 | 14-6 |
| UT Martin | 22-11 | 2 | 13-7 |
| SIU Edwardsville | 19-13 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Lindenwood | 18-15 | 4 | 11-9 |
| Little Rock | 12-20 | 6 | 9-11 |
| Tennessee Tech | 13-18 | 6 | 8-12 |
| Eastern Illinois | 13-20 | 7 | 8-12 |
| Southern Indiana | 7-23 | 11 | 4-16 |
| Western Illinois | 5-26 | 14 | 1-19 |
Box score
| Stat | Eastern Illinois Panthers | SIU Edwardsville Cougars |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 31-61 | 23-62 |
| Field goal % | 51 | 37 |
| Three-pointers | 4-13 | 12-30 |
| Three-point % | 31 | 40 |
| Free throws | 11-16 | 13-20 |
| Free throw % | 69 | 65 |
| Rebounds | 37 | 39 |
| Offensive rebounds | 9 | 15 |
| Defensive rebounds | 28 | 24 |
| Assists | 14 | 13 |
| Steals | 9 | 5 |
| Blocks | 4 | 4 |
| Turnovers | 10 | 12 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 13 | 14 |
| Fast-break points | 24 | 2 |
| Points in the paint | 44 | 20 |
| Fouls | 19 | 16 |
| Largest lead | 11 | 7 |
| Lead changes | 7 | 7 |
| Time in front | 33 | 53 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half46-38Nazareth Fisher makes layup
- 2nd Half46-40Arnas Sakenis makes layup (Jack Campion assists)
- 2nd Half46-41Darrion Baker makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half46-42Darrion Baker makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half46-44Tyler King makes driving layup
- 2nd Half48-44Zion Fruster makes layup (Kooper Jacobi assists)
- 2nd Half48-47Kyle Thomas makes 25-foot three point jumper (Jordan Pickett assists)
- 2nd Half48-49Darrion Baker makes layup
- 2nd Half48-50Darrion Baker makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half49-50Zion Fruster makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half50-50Zion Fruster makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half50-53Jordan Pickett makes 25-foot three point jumper (Jack Campion assists)
- 2nd Half52-53Terry McMorris makes 5-foot dunk
- 2nd Half52-54Arnas Sakenis makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half52-55Arnas Sakenis makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half54-55Terry McMorris makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half56-55Terry McMorris makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half56-58Tyler King makes 24-foot three point step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half58-58Zion Fruster makes 16-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half60-58Terry McMorris makes driving layup
- 2nd Half60-59Arnas Sakenis makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half60-60Arnas Sakenis makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half62-60Kooper Jacobi makes driving layup
- 2nd Half64-60Zion Fruster makes 10-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half64-63Tyler King makes 26-foot three point jumper (Jack Campion assists)
- 2nd Half64-64Arnas Sakenis makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half64-65Arnas Sakenis makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half65-65Meechie White makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT65-67Arnas Sakenis makes layup
- OT67-67Terry McMorris makes layup
- OT68-67Terry McMorris makes free throw 1 of 1
- OT69-67Kooper Jacobi makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT70-67Kooper Jacobi makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT70-70Jordan Pickett makes 24-foot three point jumper (Jack Campion assists)
- OT72-70Terry McMorris makes driving layup
- OT73-70Meechie White makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT74-70Meechie White makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT74-71Arnas Sakenis makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT76-71Kooper Jacobi makes layup (Markus Blackwell assists)
- OT77-71Zion Fruster makes free throw 1 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours SIU Edwardsville Cougars, below favours Eastern Illinois Panthers.
Venue
- Ford CenterEvansville, IN
- Attendance929
- OfficialsEric Lowe, James Gibson, Steve Divine
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