NCAAB · Final

Southern Illinois edges Belmont in thrilling finish

Sunday, January 4, 2026, 5:00 PM ET · Curb Event Center Arena

Southern Illinois Salukis 68, Belmont Bruins 67, 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 Southern Illinois Salukis vs Belmont Bruins?

Southern Illinois Salukis beat Belmont Bruins 68-67 at Curb Event Center Arena on January 4, 2026.

Who was favored in Southern Illinois Salukis vs Belmont Bruins?

Belmont Bruins were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -325 (about 76% implied). The underdog won.

In a tightly contested matchup, the Southern Illinois Salukis triumphed over the Belmont Bruins with a final score of 68-67 at the Curb Event Center Arena. This victory marks Southern Illinois' first win against Belmont in their last three meetings, breaking a previous streak where Belmont had claimed victory in both prior encounters during the 2025 season.

Belmont entered the game with a solid home record of 13-3, having won eight of their last ten games, including a recent victory over the Bradley Braves on January 2, where they scored 88 points. Their scoring average over the last ten games stood at an impressive 85.8 points per game, with their defense allowing an average of 72.7 points. Belmont's last five games had seen them average 84.4 points scored while allowing 75.8 points.

On the other hand, Southern Illinois, with an overall record of 8-8, had been struggling with a 4-6 record in their last ten games. They managed to secure a win against Valparaiso on January 1, scoring 75 points, but their recent form had been inconsistent, averaging 75.1 points scored and 75.3 points allowed. Their last five games reflected a decline, with an average of 75.4 points scored and 79.0 points allowed.

The game unfolded under competitive conditions, with Southern Illinois demonstrating resilience as they rallied to secure the win. Key moments in the second half included a series of scoring plays that highlighted the intensity of the match. Jabez Jenkins and Quel'Ron House contributed crucial free throws, while House also made significant layups that helped Southern Illinois take the lead late in the game.

The betting market, as reported by DraftKings, had Belmont favored by 6.5 points, with a total set at 158.5. The Bruins were priced at -325 for the money line, while Southern Illinois was at 260. This indicated a strong belief in Belmont's home advantage, which they ultimately could not capitalize on.

In terms of injuries, the report did not specify any key players missing from either roster, allowing both teams to field their strongest lineups for this important contest.

As the game progressed, viewers were treated to a back-and-forth battle that showcased the determination of both teams. Southern Illinois' ability to capitalize on Belmont's mistakes in the closing moments proved decisive, allowing them to secure a narrow victory. This match not only highlighted the competitive nature of college basketball but also set the stage for future encounters between these two programs.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	BEL -6.5	158.5 o -115 / u -105	Southern Illinois Salukis +260 · Belmont Bruins -325

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

Leaders

PointsJabez Jenkins17Belmont Bruins
AssistsIsaiah West3Belmont Bruins
ReboundsDrew Scharnowski10Belmont Bruins
PointsQuel'Ron House15Southern Illinois Salukis
AssistsQuel'Ron House4Southern Illinois Salukis
ReboundsDavion Sykes6Southern Illinois Salukis

Recent form

Belmont Bruins

Last 10: 8-2Streak W185.8 scored · 72.7 allowed per game3-1 at home

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
L76-84vs Richmond SpidersDec 4
W96-73at Charleston CougarsNov 30
W87-72at Toledo RocketsNov 26
W94-57vs Saint Francis Red WolvesNov 24

Southern Illinois Salukis

Last 10: 4-6Streak W175.1 scored · 75.3 allowed per game1-4 away

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
W74-65vs Little Rock TrojansNov 30
L58-74at Memphis TigersNov 27
L73-81vs UAB BlazersNov 24

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	Southern Illinois Salukis	Belmont Bruins
Field goals	26-60	27-50
Field goal %	43	54
Three-pointers	8-22	3-12
Three-point %	36	25
Free throws	8-13	10-20
Free throw %	62	50
Rebounds	34	30
Offensive rebounds	14	7
Defensive rebounds	20	23
Assists	10	12
Steals	8	6
Blocks	4	5
Turnovers	18	16
Team turnovers	0	1
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	16	21
Fast-break points	11	10
Points in the paint	28	46
Fouls	23	15
Largest lead	6	9
Lead changes	10	10
Time in front	58	33

How the scoring went

2nd Half31-26Drew Steffe makes 24-foot three point jumper (Max Pikaar assists)
2nd Half31-28Jabez Jenkins makes layup (Eoin Dillon assists)
2nd Half31-30Jack Smiley makes driving layup
2nd Half34-30Jalen Haynes makes 24-foot three point jumper
2nd Half34-32Brigham Rogers makes layup (Tyler Lundblade assists)
2nd Half34-34Jabez Jenkins makes driving layup
2nd Half34-35Jabez Jenkins makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half34-38Sam Orme makes 24-foot three point jumper (Isaiah West assists)
2nd Half37-38Isaiah Stafford makes 24-foot three point jumper (Davion Sykes assists)
2nd Half40-38Isaiah Stafford makes 25-foot three point jumper (Quel'Ron House assists)
2nd Half40-40Brigham Rogers makes 3-foot hook shot
2nd Half42-40Isaiah Stafford makes 5-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half42-43Tyler Lundblade makes 26-foot three point jumper (Jabez Jenkins assists)
2nd Half44-43Prince Aligbe makes layup (Quel'Ron House assists)
2nd Half44-45Sam Orme makes layup (Jack Smiley assists)
2nd Half46-45Quel'Ron House makes 8-foot jumper
2nd Half46-47Jabez Jenkins makes layup
2nd Half46-49Jabez Jenkins makes layup
2nd Half46-51Jabez Jenkins makes 0-foot tip in layup
2nd Half49-51Damien Mayo Jr. makes 23-foot three point jumper (Jalen Haynes assists)
2nd Half49-53Drew Scharnowski makes driving layup
2nd Half49-54Jabez Jenkins makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half51-54Isaiah Stafford makes 16-foot step back jumpshot
2nd Half51-56Tyler Lundblade makes 12-foot jumper
2nd Half51-58Brigham Rogers makes 7-foot hook shot
2nd Half53-58Quel'Ron House makes 8-foot jumper
2nd Half53-60Jack Smiley makes driving layup
2nd Half53-62Isaiah West makes driving layup
2nd Half54-62Jalen Haynes makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half55-62Jalen Haynes makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half55-64Jack Smiley makes 20-foot step back jumpshot (Isaiah West assists)
2nd Half58-64Drew Steffe makes 24-foot three point jumper (Quel'Ron House assists)
2nd Half58-65Jabez Jenkins makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half59-65Quel'Ron House makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half61-65Quel'Ron House makes layup
2nd Half63-65Damien Mayo Jr. makes 0-foot tip in layup
2nd Half64-65Quel'Ron House makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half66-65Isaiah Stafford makes layup (Quel'Ron House assists)
2nd Half66-67Eoin Dillon makes 5-foot turnaround jump shot
2nd Half68-67Quel'Ron House makes 5-foot jumper