NCAAB · Final

Southern Illinois Defeats Evansville in NCAAB Clash

Sunday, March 1, 2026, 4:00 PM ET · Ford Center

Southern Illinois Salukis 81, Evansville Purple Aces 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 Evansville Purple Aces?

Southern Illinois Salukis beat Evansville Purple Aces 81-67 at Ford Center on March 1, 2026.

Who was favored in Southern Illinois Salukis vs Evansville Purple Aces?

Southern Illinois Salukis were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -440 (about 81% implied). The favorite won.

In a decisive matchup at the Ford Center, the Southern Illinois Salukis triumphed over the Evansville Purple Aces with a final score of 81-67. This victory marks an important step for Southern Illinois, who have been in strong form recently, winning three consecutive games leading into this contest. Their recent performance has been characterized by a solid average of 68.3 points scored per game, while allowing only 62.7 points, showcasing a robust defensive effort.

Evansville, on the other hand, has struggled throughout the season, finishing with a record of 7-24. Their recent form has been particularly concerning, as they have only managed to win two of their last ten games, currently on a one-game winning streak after a narrow victory against Valparaiso. The Purple Aces have averaged 67.2 points scored while allowing a staggering 82.2 points per game during this stretch, indicating significant defensive vulnerabilities.

In terms of home and away performance, Evansville has a home record of 2-2 in their last ten games, but they have not been able to secure a win on the road, going 0-6. Southern Illinois, conversely, has excelled in away games, boasting an impressive away record of 4-0 in their last ten outings, which speaks to their ability to perform under pressure in hostile environments.

The head-to-head record between these two teams has favored Southern Illinois recently, with the Salukis winning two of the last four matchups, including a dominant 86-60 victory against Evansville earlier in the season. The previous meeting on February 13, 2026, saw Southern Illinois overpower Evansville, and this latest encounter continued that trend.

In terms of injuries, the block does not provide specific details regarding player availability for either team, but it is clear that Southern Illinois has been able to maintain a consistent lineup that has contributed to their recent success. The betting market reflected the expectations for this game, with DraftKings setting the spread at 9.5 points in favor of Southern Illinois, indicating a strong belief in their ability to win decisively.

The game conditions were likely favorable for both teams, with the venue at the Ford Center providing a neutral atmosphere for the matchup. Fans watching the game would have noted the standout performances from Southern Illinois players, particularly Quel'Ron House, who contributed significantly to the scoring in the second half with multiple layups and free throws that helped extend their lead.

Overall, this matchup highlighted the contrasting fortunes of the two programs, with Southern Illinois continuing to build momentum as they head towards the end of the season, while Evansville faces challenges in finding consistency and defensive stability.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	SIU -9.5	139.5 o -110 / u -110	Southern Illinois Salukis -440 · Evansville Purple Aces +340

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

Leaders

PointsAJ Casey16Evansville Purple Aces
AssistsBryce Quinet7Evansville Purple Aces
ReboundsAJ Casey8Evansville Purple Aces
PointsDamien Mayo Jr.23Southern Illinois Salukis
AssistsQuel'Ron House6Southern Illinois Salukis
ReboundsPrince Aligbe12Southern Illinois Salukis

Recent form

Evansville Purple Aces

Last 10: 2-8Streak W167.2 scored · 82.2 allowed per game2-2 at home

W80-79vs Valparaiso BeaconsFeb 28
L64-98at Belmont BruinsFeb 26
L75-88at Murray State RacersFeb 21
L46-84vs UIC FlamesFeb 19
L60-86at Southern Illinois SalukisFeb 13
W88-80vs Illinois State RedbirdsFeb 10
L63-70at Valparaiso BeaconsFeb 7
L63-84vs Indiana State SycamoresFeb 4
L55-71at Northern Iowa PanthersJan 31
L78-82at Drake BulldogsJan 29

Southern Illinois Salukis

Last 10: 7-3Streak W368.3 scored · 62.7 allowed per game4-0 away

W66-55vs Indiana State SycamoresFeb 26
W59-57at Northern Iowa PanthersFeb 21
W66-61at Drake BulldogsFeb 19
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

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	Evansville Purple Aces
Field goals	30-64	23-54
Field goal %	47	43
Three-pointers	9-22	8-25
Three-point %	41	32
Free throws	12-13	13-16
Free throw %	92	81
Rebounds	39	28
Offensive rebounds	13	6
Defensive rebounds	26	22
Assists	16	16
Steals	5	2
Blocks	1	3
Turnovers	6	9
Team turnovers	0	1
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	16	5
Fast-break points	19	6
Points in the paint	40	22
Fouls	14	14
Largest lead	14	3
Lead changes	5	5
Time in front	75	11

How the scoring went

2nd Half40-31AJ Casey makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half41-31Damien Mayo Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half42-31Damien Mayo Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half42-33AJ Casey makes layup (Leif Moeller assists)
2nd Half45-33Drew Steffe makes 25-foot three point jumper (Quel'Ron House assists)
2nd Half45-35Joshua Hughes makes layup
2nd Half47-35Quel'Ron House makes layup
2nd Half47-37Bryce Quinet makes 13-foot jumper
2nd Half47-39Joshua Hughes makes 5-foot jumper (AJ Casey assists)
2nd Half47-41AJ Casey makes layup (Bryce Quinet assists)
2nd Half47-42AJ Casey makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half49-42Jalen Haynes makes 14-foot jumper
2nd Half49-45Trent Hundley makes 23-foot three point jumper (AJ Casey assists)
2nd Half51-45Damien Mayo Jr. makes 10-foot jumper
2nd Half51-48Joshua Hughes makes 25-foot three point jumper (Leif Moeller assists)
2nd Half54-48Drew Steffe makes 24-foot three point jumper (Jalen Haynes assists)
2nd Half54-50Bryce Quinet makes layup
2nd Half56-50Prince Aligbe makes layup (Jalen Haynes assists)
2nd Half56-52Joshua Hughes makes 16-foot jumper (Bryce Quinet assists)
2nd Half56-55Trent Hundley makes 23-foot three point jumper (Leif Moeller assists)
2nd Half58-55Damien Mayo Jr. makes layup
2nd Half58-57Bryce Quinet makes layup (Trent Hundley assists)
2nd Half60-57Drew Steffe makes layup
2nd Half63-57Damien Mayo Jr. makes 23-foot three point jumper (Prince Aligbe assists)
2nd Half63-60Trent Hundley makes 26-foot three point jumper (Bryce Quinet assists)
2nd Half63-61Trent Hundley makes free throw 1 of 3
2nd Half63-62Trent Hundley makes free throw 2 of 3
2nd Half63-63Trent Hundley makes free throw 3 of 3
2nd Half66-63Damien Mayo Jr. makes 25-foot three point jumper
2nd Half66-65Trent Hundley makes layup (Bryce Quinet assists)
2nd Half69-65Drew Steffe makes 26-foot three point jumper (Quel'Ron House assists)
2nd Half69-67Leif Moeller makes layup
2nd Half71-67Quel'Ron House makes layup
2nd Half73-67Quel'Ron House makes layup
2nd Half75-67Prince Aligbe makes layup (Rolyns Aligbe assists)
2nd Half77-67Prince Aligbe makes layup
2nd Half78-67Damien Mayo Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half79-67Damien Mayo Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half80-67Quel'Ron House makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half81-67Quel'Ron House makes free throw 2 of 2

Win probability

Above the line favours Evansville Purple Aces, below favours Southern Illinois Salukis.