Cougars Edge Golden Eagles in Tight Contest
Saturday, January 24, 2026, 2:30 PM ET · First Community Arena
SIU Edwardsville Cougars 62, Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles 58, 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 Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles vs SIU Edwardsville Cougars?
SIU Edwardsville Cougars beat Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles 62-58 at First Community Arena on January 24, 2026.
Who was favored in Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles vs SIU Edwardsville Cougars?
SIU Edwardsville Cougars were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -355 (about 78% implied). The favorite won.
In a closely contested matchup, the SIU Edwardsville Cougars triumphed over the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles with a final score of 62-58. This victory marks the Cougars' third consecutive win, showcasing their recent form as they continue to build momentum in the NCAAB season. With a home record of 13-8, the Cougars have demonstrated a solid performance at First Community Arena, where they have a home record of 4-2 in their last six games. In contrast, the Golden Eagles, now at 7-14 overall, have struggled recently, suffering their fourth consecutive loss and holding a record of 3-7 in their last ten games.
The Cougars entered the game on a two-game winning streak, having defeated the Tennessee State Tigers 74-66 in their previous outing. Over their last ten games, they have posted a record of 6-4, averaging 70.3 points scored while allowing 64.0 points per game. Their recent form has been characterized by a strong defense, evident in their average points allowed.
On the other hand, the Golden Eagles have been on a downward trajectory, with their last victory coming against the Western Illinois Leathernecks on January 10, where they won 59-54. Their recent record stands at 3-7, with an average of 69.4 points scored and a concerning 75.5 points allowed per game. The away record for Tennessee Tech is particularly troubling, as they have only managed to secure one win in their last four away games.
Historically, the Cougars have had the upper hand in their meetings with the Golden Eagles, winning both encounters during the 2025 season. The most recent matchup prior to this game was on February 7, 2025, where the Cougars won decisively with a score of 75-58. In their earlier meeting on January 11, 2025, the Cougars also emerged victorious, winning 67-59.
In terms of injuries, the block does not provide specific details about player availability for either team, but the impact of injuries can often be significant in close games like this one.
The betting market, as reported by DraftKings, had the Cougars favored by 7.5 points, with a total set at 135.5. The odds reflected the Cougars' stronger season performance and home advantage, with a moneyline of -355 for SIUE and +280 for Tennessee Tech. The spread indicates that the market anticipated a competitive game, but the Cougars ultimately managed to secure the win within that margin.
Conditions at First Community Arena were likely conducive to a spirited contest, with both teams looking to assert their styles of play. The Cougars' ability to control the pace and limit the Golden Eagles' scoring opportunities was crucial in their win.
Key moments in the game included several scoring plays that kept the contest tight. Mekhi Cameron was instrumental for the Golden Eagles, making critical layups and jumpers to keep his team within striking distance. However, the Cougars' Kyle Thomas sealed the game with free throws in the closing moments, ensuring their victory.
As the game concluded, the Cougars' home win probability stood at 1.0, highlighting their dominance in this matchup. Fans and analysts alike will be watching how both teams respond in their upcoming games, particularly the Golden Eagles as they seek to break their losing streak.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | SIUE -7.5 | 135.5 o -112 / u -108 | Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles +280 · SIU Edwardsville Cougars -355 |
Leaders
- PointsArnas Sakenis16SIU Edwardsville Cougars
- AssistsJack Campion6SIU Edwardsville Cougars
- ReboundsArnas Sakenis12SIU Edwardsville Cougars
- PointsJaJuan Nicholls17Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles
- AssistsMekhi Cameron3Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles
- ReboundsJaJuan Nicholls5Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles
Recent form
SIU Edwardsville Cougars
Last 10: 6-4Streak W270.3 scored · 64 allowed per game4-2 at home
- W74-66vs Tennessee State TigersJan 23
- W68-55at Southeast Missouri State RedhawksJan 17
- L59-65at UT Martin SkyhawksJan 16
- L70-73vs Little Rock TrojansJan 9
- W66-62vs Lindenwood LionsJan 7
- 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
Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles
Last 10: 3-7Streak L369.4 scored · 75.5 allowed per game1-3 away
- L68-89at Lindenwood LionsJan 23
- L70-76vs Morehead State EaglesJan 17
- L54-71vs Southern Indiana Screaming EaglesJan 16
- W59-54at Western Illinois LeathernecksJan 10
- L61-71at Eastern Illinois PanthersJan 9
- L58-77at Little Rock TrojansJan 1
- L76-88vs Tennessee State TigersDec 31
- L62-86vs UT Martin SkyhawksDec 20
- W85-74vs Southeast Missouri State RedhawksDec 19
- W101-69vs Bethel (TN) WildcatsDec 13
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Tennessee State | 23-11 | - | 13-5 |
| Mercer | 19-13 | 2 | 11-7 |
| Wofford | 19-13 | 2 | 11-7 |
| Samford | 18-14 | 2 | 11-7 |
| Furman | 22-13 | 3 | 10-8 |
| Western Carolina | 15-16 | 3 | 10-8 |
| UNC Greensboro | 15-19 | 4 | 9-9 |
| Chattanooga | 13-19 | 6 | 7-11 |
| The Citadel | 11-22 | 6 | 7-11 |
| VMI | 6-26 | 12 | 1-17 |
| 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 | Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles | SIU Edwardsville Cougars |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 22-58 | 23-55 |
| Field goal % | 38 | 42 |
| Three-pointers | 3-17 | 4-17 |
| Three-point % | 18 | 24 |
| Free throws | 11-15 | 12-15 |
| Free throw % | 73 | 80 |
| Rebounds | 35 | 36 |
| Offensive rebounds | 13 | 12 |
| Defensive rebounds | 22 | 24 |
| Assists | 8 | 9 |
| Steals | 5 | 3 |
| Blocks | 3 | 4 |
| Turnovers | 6 | 8 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 11 | 6 |
| Fast-break points | 11 | 8 |
| Points in the paint | 34 | 34 |
| Fouls | 14 | 13 |
| Largest lead | 0 | 15 |
| Lead changes | 0 | 0 |
| Time in front | 0 | 99 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half24-29Arnas Sakenis makes layup
- 2nd Half26-29Mekhi Cameron makes layup
- 2nd Half26-30Jo Valrie makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half26-31Jo Valrie makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half26-33Arnas Sakenis makes layup (Jack Campion assists)
- 2nd Half27-33JaJuan Nicholls makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half27-35Darrion Baker makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half27-37Tyler King makes layup
- 2nd Half27-38Darrion Baker makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half27-39Darrion Baker makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half29-39Ty Owens makes layup
- 2nd Half29-41Darrion Baker makes layup (Jack Campion assists)
- 2nd Half31-41JaJuan Nicholls makes layup (Mekhi Cameron assists)
- 2nd Half31-43Jack Campion makes layup
- 2nd Half31-46Tyler King makes 24-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half34-46Jacobe Whitted makes 22-foot three point jumper (Mekhi Turner assists)
- 2nd Half34-47Arnas Sakenis makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half36-47Mekhi Turner makes layup (Malik Ferguson assists)
- 2nd Half36-49Tyler King makes layup
- 2nd Half36-51Arnas Sakenis makes 0-foot tip in dunk
- 2nd Half38-51JaJuan Nicholls makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half40-51JaJuan Nicholls makes 2-foot dunk (Ty Owens assists)
- 2nd Half42-51Brandon Muntu makes layup
- 2nd Half42-53Jordan Pickett makes 21-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half44-53JaJuan Nicholls makes layup (Ty Owens assists)
- 2nd Half46-53Brandon Muntu makes layup
- 2nd Half47-53Ty Owens makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half48-53Ty Owens makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half48-54Jo Valrie makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half48-55Jo Valrie makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half48-57Kyle Thomas makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half50-57JaJuan Nicholls makes 4-foot dunk
- 2nd Half50-59Kyle Thomas makes 3-foot alley oop dunk (Tyler King assists)
- 2nd Half52-59Mekhi Cameron makes layup
- 2nd Half52-60Arnas Sakenis makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half54-60Mekhi Cameron makes layup
- 2nd Half56-60Mekhi Cameron makes 14-foot jumper
- 2nd Half56-61Kyle Thomas makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half56-62Kyle Thomas makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half58-62JaJuan Nicholls makes layup (Mekhi Cameron assists)
Win probability
Above the line favours SIU Edwardsville Cougars, below favours Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles.
Venue
- First Community ArenaEdwardsville, IL
- Attendance1623
- OfficialsJohn Hendricks, Wesley Harper, Bob Franklin
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond