Southern Illinois Defeats Drake in Close Contest
Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 7:30 PM ET · Knapp Center
Southern Illinois Salukis 66, Drake Bulldogs 61, 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 Drake Bulldogs?
Southern Illinois Salukis beat Drake Bulldogs 66-61 at Knapp Center on February 18, 2026.
Who was favored in Southern Illinois Salukis vs Drake Bulldogs?
Southern Illinois Salukis were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -125 (about 56% implied). The favorite won.
In a tightly contested matchup, the Southern Illinois Salukis edged the Drake Bulldogs with a final score of 66-61 at the Knapp Center. This victory marks Southern Illinois' fourth win in their last ten games, while Drake continues to struggle, having lost their last six games. The Salukis now hold a 14-15 record, while the Bulldogs fall to 12-18.
Southern Illinois entered the game with a mixed record of 4-5-1 in their last ten outings, averaging 62.3 points scored and allowing 59.6 points. Their recent form includes a win against the Evansville Purple Aces and a loss to the Bradley Braves. In contrast, Drake has been on a downward spiral, losing their last six games, with an average of 77.3 points scored and 82.7 points allowed during this stretch. Their last victory came against the Evansville Purple Aces on January 29, which now feels like a distant memory given their current form.
The Bulldogs' home record stands at 2-3 in their last five games, while the Salukis have fared better away, posting a 2-1 record in their last three road games. Historically, Southern Illinois has had the upper hand in their recent meetings with Drake, winning all three encounters in the current and previous season. Their latest matchup on January 15, 2026, saw Southern Illinois come out on top with a score of 76-73.
In terms of injuries, there were no specific details provided in the block, but both teams have been navigating their respective challenges as they approach the end of the season. The betting market had Southern Illinois favored by 1.5 points according to DraftKings, with a total set at 149.5. The odds reflected a close contest, and the final score confirmed the competitive nature of the game.
Conditions during the game were conducive to a solid performance, with players from both teams showcasing their skills. Key moments included Jalen Quinn's pivotal 14-foot jumper in the second half, which helped the Salukis maintain their lead. The game featured a series of free throws that proved crucial in the closing moments, with Jalen Haynes and Quel'Ron House contributing significantly from the charity stripe.
As the game progressed, viewers were treated to a display of resilience from Southern Illinois, who managed to hold off a determined Drake team. The Salukis' ability to capitalize on free throw opportunities in the final moments was a decisive factor in their victory, illustrating the importance of composure under pressure.
Overall, this matchup highlighted the contrasting trajectories of both programs as they navigate the latter part of the season. Southern Illinois will look to build on this momentum, while Drake will need to regroup and find a way to break their losing streak.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | SIU -1.5 | 149.5 o -108 / u -112 | Southern Illinois Salukis -125 · Drake Bulldogs +105 |
Leaders
- PointsJalen Quinn23Drake Bulldogs
- AssistsOwen Larson3Drake Bulldogs
- ReboundsJalen Quinn10Drake Bulldogs
- PointsDamien Mayo Jr.22Southern Illinois Salukis
- AssistsQuel'Ron House5Southern Illinois Salukis
- ReboundsRolyns Aligbe8Southern Illinois Salukis
Recent form
Drake Bulldogs
Last 10: 3-7Streak L677.3 scored · 82.7 allowed per game2-3 at home
- L62-86at Northern Iowa PanthersFeb 15
- L70-80vs UIC FlamesFeb 13
- L76-81vs Valparaiso BeaconsFeb 10
- L76-86at Illinois State RedbirdsFeb 7
- L90-103at Belmont BruinsFeb 4
- L73-87vs Bradley BravesJan 31
- W82-78vs Evansville Purple AcesJan 29
- W76-62at Indiana State SycamoresJan 24
- W101-90vs Murray State RacersJan 22
- L67-74at UIC FlamesJan 17
Southern Illinois Salukis
Last 10: 4-5-1Streak L162.3 scored · 59.6 allowed per game2-1 away
- L60-70vs Bradley BravesFeb 15
- W86-60vs Evansville Purple AcesFeb 13
- W80-65at Indiana State SycamoresFeb 10
- L81-91vs Murray State RacersFeb 7
- W54-50at Illinois State RedbirdsFeb 4
- L66-68vs UIC FlamesFeb 1
- W65-50vs Northern Iowa PanthersJan 29
- D0-0at Evansville Purple AcesJan 25
- L63-69at Valparaiso BeaconsJan 22
- L68-73vs Belmont BruinsJan 18
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 | Drake Bulldogs |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 23-66 | 24-60 |
| Field goal % | 35 | 40 |
| Three-pointers | 10-26 | 7-25 |
| Three-point % | 38 | 28 |
| Free throws | 10-17 | 6-13 |
| Free throw % | 59 | 46 |
| Rebounds | 44 | 43 |
| Offensive rebounds | 15 | 10 |
| Defensive rebounds | 29 | 33 |
| Assists | 14 | 10 |
| Steals | 10 | 5 |
| Blocks | 3 | 8 |
| Turnovers | 12 | 14 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 1 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 14 | 15 |
| Fast-break points | 13 | 4 |
| Points in the paint | 22 | 30 |
| Fouls | 13 | 16 |
| Largest lead | 8 | 13 |
| Lead changes | 6 | 6 |
| Time in front | 43 | 53 |
How the scoring went
- 1st Half26-31Damien Mayo Jr. makes 26-foot three point jumper (Quel'Ron House assists)
- 1st Half29-31Quel'Ron House makes 26-foot three point jumper (Jaheem Webber assists)
- 1st Half29-33Jalen Quinn makes 10-foot floating jump shot
- 1st Half29-36Braden Appelhans makes 23-foot three point jumper (Jalen Quinn assists)
- 1st Half31-36Davion Sykes makes 2-foot dunk (Quel'Ron House assists)
- 2nd Half31-38Owen Larson makes driving layup
- 2nd Half33-38Damien Mayo Jr. makes driving layup
- 2nd Half33-40Jalen Quinn makes layup (Okku Federiko assists)
- 2nd Half36-40Rolyns Aligbe makes 25-foot three point jumper (Damien Mayo Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half38-40Quel'Ron House makes 12-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half38-42Isaiah Carr makes layup (Andrew Alia assists)
- 2nd Half40-42Prince Aligbe makes driving layup (Max Pikaar assists)
- 2nd Half40-44Jalen Quinn makes driving layup
- 2nd Half41-44Quel'Ron House makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half42-44Quel'Ron House makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half45-44Damien Mayo Jr. makes 25-foot three point jumper (Drew Steffe assists)
- 2nd Half47-44Davion Sykes makes 3-foot dunk (Rolyns Aligbe assists)
- 2nd Half48-44Damien Mayo Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half50-44Damien Mayo Jr. makes 2-foot dunk (Davion Sykes assists)
- 2nd Half50-45Okku Federiko makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half53-45Quel'Ron House makes 28-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half53-47Griffen Goodbary makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half53-49Jaehshon Thomas makes layup
- 2nd Half53-51Jalen Quinn makes 7-foot jumper
- 2nd Half53-53Jaehshon Thomas makes layup
- 2nd Half54-53Quel'Ron House makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half56-53Damien Mayo Jr. makes layup
- 2nd Half56-54Jalen Quinn makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half57-54Quel'Ron House makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half59-54Drew Steffe makes layup
- 2nd Half59-57Andrew Alia makes 23-foot three point jumper (Owen Larson assists)
- 2nd Half61-57Davion Sykes makes 1-foot dunk
- 2nd Half61-59Jalen Quinn makes 14-foot jumper
- 2nd Half62-59Jalen Haynes makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half63-59Jalen Haynes makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half64-59Quel'Ron House makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half64-60Eli Shetlar makes free throw 1 of 3
- 2nd Half64-61Eli Shetlar makes free throw 3 of 3
- 2nd Half65-61Quel'Ron House makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half66-61Quel'Ron House makes free throw 1 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Drake Bulldogs, below favours Southern Illinois Salukis.
Venue
- Knapp CenterDes Moines, IA
- Attendance3152
- OfficialsEd Crenshaw Jr., James Duke, John Jenkins Jr.
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