NCAAB · Final

SIU Edwardsville Defeats Lindenwood in Close Contest

Tuesday, January 6, 2026, 8:30 PM ET · First Community Arena

SIU Edwardsville Cougars 66, Lindenwood Lions 62, 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 Lindenwood Lions vs SIU Edwardsville Cougars?

SIU Edwardsville Cougars beat Lindenwood Lions 66-62 at First Community Arena on January 6, 2026.

Who was favored in Lindenwood Lions vs SIU Edwardsville Cougars?

SIU Edwardsville Cougars were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -112 (about 53% implied). The favorite won.

In a tightly contested matchup, the SIU Edwardsville Cougars edged out the Lindenwood Lions with a final score of 66-62 at the First Community Arena. This victory was crucial for the Cougars, who improved their record to 11-6, while the Lions fell to 10-7. Both teams entered the game with identical records of 10-6, making this encounter particularly significant as they vied for positioning in the league.

The Cougars had been struggling recently, entering the game with a record of 6-4 over their last ten games, including a loss in their most recent outing against Morehead State. They averaged 74.9 points scored and 66.5 points allowed during this stretch. At home, they held a record of 4-2, demonstrating a solid performance in front of their fans despite their recent loss. In contrast, the Lions were riding a two-game winning streak, boasting an impressive record of 8-2 in their last ten games. They averaged 85.0 points scored and allowed 66.4 points during that span, showcasing their offensive prowess. Their away record stood at 2-2, indicating a balanced performance on the road.

The previous meetings between these two teams had been competitive, with the series tied at 1-1. Earlier in the season, the Cougars secured a victory against the Lions at home, winning 58-47, while Lindenwood claimed a narrow victory in their earlier encounter, 65-63. This history added an extra layer of intensity to the matchup, with both teams eager to assert dominance over the other.

In terms of injuries, there were no significant updates provided that would affect either team’s lineup, allowing both sides to field their strongest players. The market had priced SIU Edwardsville as a slight favorite, with odds from DraftKings listing them at -1.5 on the spread, while the total for the game was set at 142.5. The moneyline odds were -112 for SIUE and -108 for Lindenwood, reflecting the close nature of the contest.

The game featured a mix of scoring plays that kept fans on the edge of their seats. In the second half, Jo Valrie hit a crucial three-pointer to bring the Lions within six points at 61-55. This was quickly followed by another three-pointer from Anias Futrell, narrowing the gap to 61-58. The back-and-forth continued as Darrion Baker made a jumper to extend the Cougars' lead to 63-58, only for Mekhi Cooper to respond with a layup for Lindenwood, making it 63-60. Baker then converted two free throws, pushing the lead to 65-60 before Futrell scored again for the Lions, bringing the score to 65-62. Tyler King sealed the game with another free throw, finalizing the score at 66-62.

Conditions in the arena were typical for a basketball game, with a charged atmosphere as fans rallied behind their teams. The Cougars' ability to hold off the Lions in the closing moments showcased their resilience and determination, crucial traits for a team looking to build momentum as the season progresses.

Overall, this matchup not only highlighted the competitive spirit of both teams but also set the stage for future encounters as they continue to battle for supremacy in their league.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	SIUE -1.5	142.5 o -110 / u -110	Lindenwood Lions -108 · SIU Edwardsville Cougars -112

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

Leaders

PointsDarrion Baker20SIU Edwardsville Cougars
AssistsJack Campion7SIU Edwardsville Cougars
ReboundsDarrion Baker9SIU Edwardsville Cougars
PointsJadis Jones22Lindenwood Lions
AssistsMekhi Cooper3Lindenwood Lions
ReboundsJadis Jones14Lindenwood Lions

Recent form

SIU Edwardsville Cougars

Last 10: 6-4Streak L174.9 scored · 66.5 allowed per game4-2 at home

L72-73vs Morehead State EaglesJan 3
W59-55vs Southern Indiana Screaming EaglesJan 1
W66-61at Western Illinois LeathernecksDec 22
L72-76at Eastern Illinois PanthersDec 18
W97-54vs Eureka Red DevilsDec 14
L73-83vs Western Michigan BroncosDec 6
W72-63at North Florida OspreysDec 3
W92-55vs Missouri Baptist SpartansNov 28
W83-68vs Alabama State HornetsNov 23
L63-77at Air Force FalconsNov 21

Lindenwood Lions

Last 10: 8-2Streak W285 scored · 66.4 allowed per game2-2 away

W83-80vs Southern Indiana Screaming EaglesJan 3
W77-64vs Morehead State EaglesJan 1
L65-70at Missouri State BearsDec 23
W109-52vs Harris Stowe State HornetsDec 20
W92-76vs Western Illinois LeathernecksDec 19
W110-44vs Culver Stockton WildcatsDec 10
W82-74at Eastern Illinois PanthersDec 7
W99-64at Northern Illinois HuskiesDec 3
W80-67vs Kansas City RoosNov 25
L53-73at Indiana HoosiersNov 20

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	Lindenwood Lions	SIU Edwardsville Cougars
Field goals	24-66	22-52
Field goal %	36	42
Three-pointers	4-21	6-15
Three-point %	19	40
Free throws	10-15	16-22
Free throw %	67	73
Rebounds	39	37
Offensive rebounds	16	8
Defensive rebounds	23	29
Assists	9	10
Steals	8	5
Blocks	2	6
Turnovers	13	15
Team turnovers	0	1
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	14	16
Fast-break points	12	5
Points in the paint	36	28
Fouls	18	16
Largest lead	5	8
Lead changes	8	8
Time in front	23	71

How the scoring went

1st Half26-31Arnas Sakenis makes 1-foot dunk (Jack Campion assists)
1st Half26-33Tyler King makes layup (Jack Campion assists)
1st Half29-33Dontrez Williams makes 25-foot three point jumper (Robert Lewis assists)
1st Half29-35Kyle Thomas makes layup
1st Half31-35Dontrez Williams makes layup (Robert Lewis assists)
1st Half33-35Clayton Jackson makes layup
1st Half34-35Clayton Jackson makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half34-37Jack Campion makes 16-foot jumper
2nd Half36-37Jadis Jones makes layup (Mekhi Cooper assists)
2nd Half36-38Jack Campion makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half36-39Jack Campion makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half36-41Kyle Thomas makes 4-foot hook shot
2nd Half38-41Robert Lewis makes 7-foot jumper (Dontrez Williams assists)
2nd Half40-41Jadis Jones makes layup (Anias Futrell assists)
2nd Half42-41Jadis Jones makes layup
2nd Half44-41Anias Futrell makes 10-foot turnaround jump shot
2nd Half44-43Jack Campion makes layup
2nd Half44-45Kyle Thomas makes layup (Darrion Baker assists)
2nd Half46-45Milos Nenadic makes 0-foot tip in layup
2nd Half49-45Mekhi Cooper makes 24-foot three point jumper
2nd Half50-45Jadis Jones makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half50-47Darrion Baker makes layup
2nd Half50-49Arnas Sakenis makes 0-foot tip in layup
2nd Half50-51Darrion Baker makes layup
2nd Half50-52Darrion Baker makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half51-52Jadis Jones makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half53-52Mekhi Cooper makes 15-foot jumper
2nd Half53-53Kyle Thomas makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half53-54Kyle Thomas makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half53-57Tyler King makes 23-foot three point jumper (Jack Campion assists)
2nd Half55-57Jadis Jones makes 0-foot tip in layup
2nd Half55-58Darrion Baker makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half55-61Jo Valrie makes 24-foot three point jumper (Jack Campion assists)
2nd Half58-61Anias Futrell makes 24-foot three point jumper (Mekhi Cooper assists)
2nd Half58-63Darrion Baker makes 13-foot jumper
2nd Half60-63Mekhi Cooper makes layup
2nd Half60-64Darrion Baker makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half60-65Darrion Baker makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half62-65Anias Futrell makes 0-foot tip in dunk
2nd Half62-66Tyler King makes free throw 2 of 2

Win probability

Above the line favours SIU Edwardsville Cougars, below favours Lindenwood Lions.