NCAAB · Final

UIC Flames Edge Southern Illinois Salukis in Close Contest

Saturday, January 31, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · Banterra Center

UIC Flames 68, Southern Illinois Salukis 66, 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 UIC Flames vs Southern Illinois Salukis?

UIC Flames beat Southern Illinois Salukis 68-66 at Banterra Center on January 31, 2026.

Who was favored in UIC Flames vs Southern Illinois Salukis?

Southern Illinois Salukis were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -170 (about 63% implied). The underdog won.

In a closely contested matchup, the UIC Flames defeated the Southern Illinois Salukis with a final score of 68-66 at the Banterra Center. This victory marks the Flames' seventh consecutive win, showcasing their strong form as they improve their record to 14-10, while the Salukis fall to 9-14. The Flames have been particularly impressive in their recent games, boasting an 8-2 record over their last ten outings, with an average of 75.1 points scored and 64.8 points allowed per game. In contrast, the Salukis have struggled, managing only a 3-6-1 record in their last ten games, averaging 61.9 points scored and 63.2 points allowed.

The game was characterized by intense back-and-forth play, with both teams exchanging leads throughout. The Flames capitalized on their recent momentum, having won their last five games leading up to this matchup. In their previous encounter on January 8, 2026, UIC also emerged victorious against Southern Illinois, winning 70-57. This latest win further solidifies UIC's dominance over the Salukis in their recent meetings, now holding a 3-1 advantage in their last four matchups.

Southern Illinois has had mixed results at home, with a home record of 2-2 in their last four games. Their last home game resulted in a solid win against the Northern Iowa Panthers, where they scored 65 points while allowing only 50. However, their overall performance has been inconsistent, particularly on the offensive end, as evidenced by their scoring average of just 53.8 points in their last five games.

In terms of injuries, the block does not specify any players who were unavailable for either team, indicating that both squads were likely at full strength for this important conference clash. This allowed for a competitive matchup that showcased the skills of both teams.

The betting lines provided by DraftKings indicated that Southern Illinois was favored by 3.5 points, with a total set at 142.5. The odds reflected the Salukis' home advantage, but UIC's recent form proved to be the deciding factor in the outcome of the game.

As the game unfolded, viewers were treated to several key moments, including Ahmad Henderson II's impactful plays. He made a crucial layup that brought the Flames within striking distance during the second half, and he also contributed with a significant three-point jumper that helped UIC take the lead late in the game. The final moments saw the Flames secure their victory with free throws from Mekhi Lowery, sealing the deal as Southern Illinois attempted to rally back.

The conditions at the Banterra Center appeared favorable for basketball, contributing to an engaging atmosphere for fans and players alike. With both teams showcasing their strengths, this matchup served as a reminder of the competitive nature of NCAAB basketball, particularly as the season progresses toward its climax.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	SIU -3.5	142.5 o -110 / u -110	UIC Flames +142 · Southern Illinois Salukis -170

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

Leaders

PointsDamien Mayo Jr.20Southern Illinois Salukis
AssistsDamien Mayo Jr.3Southern Illinois Salukis
ReboundsRolyns Aligbe7Southern Illinois Salukis
PointsElijah Crawford23UIC Flames
AssistsElijah Crawford1UIC Flames
ReboundsAndy Johnson7UIC Flames

Recent form

Southern Illinois Salukis

Last 10: 3-6-1Streak W161.9 scored · 63.2 allowed per game2-2 at home

W65-50vs Northern Iowa PanthersJan 29
D0-0at Evansville Purple AcesJan 25
L63-69at Valparaiso BeaconsJan 22
L68-73vs Belmont BruinsJan 18
L73-76vs Drake BulldogsJan 15
L57-70at UIC FlamesJan 8
W68-67at Belmont BruinsJan 4
W75-70vs Valparaiso BeaconsJan 1
L81-84at Murray State RacersDec 30
L69-73at Bradley BravesDec 21

UIC Flames

Last 10: 8-2Streak W775.1 scored · 64.8 allowed per game3-1 away

W76-74vs Indiana State SycamoresJan 28
W85-70at Bradley BravesJan 25
W76-49vs Evansville Purple AcesJan 21
W74-67vs Drake BulldogsJan 17
W69-61at Northern Iowa PanthersJan 14
W63-59at Illinois State RedbirdsJan 10
W70-57vs Southern Illinois SalukisJan 8
L59-66at Valparaiso BeaconsJan 4
L77-81vs Murray State RacersJan 2
W102-64vs Illinois Tech Scarlet HawksDec 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	UIC Flames	Southern Illinois Salukis
Field goals	22-55	22-50
Field goal %	40	44
Three-pointers	3-20	6-13
Three-point %	15	46
Free throws	21-26	16-22
Free throw %	81	73
Rebounds	44	24
Offensive rebounds	18	5
Defensive rebounds	26	19
Assists	4	12
Steals	6	10
Blocks	3	9
Turnovers	17	10
Team turnovers	0	0
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	10	15
Fast-break points	5	7
Points in the paint	38	32
Fouls	16	18
Largest lead	9	18
Lead changes	2	2
Time in front	26	73

How the scoring went

2nd Half27-41Mekhi Lowery makes layup
2nd Half27-43Prince Aligbe makes layup (Rolyns Aligbe assists)
2nd Half27-44Rolyns Aligbe makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half27-45Rolyns Aligbe makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half29-45Elijah Crawford makes layup
2nd Half31-45Mekhi Lowery makes layup
2nd Half32-45Mekhi Lowery makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half34-45Elijah Crawford makes layup
2nd Half34-48Damien Mayo Jr. makes 23-foot three point jumper (Drew Steffe assists)
2nd Half35-48Rashund Washington Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half36-48Rashund Washington Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half36-51Damien Mayo Jr. makes 22-foot three point jumper (Quel'Ron House assists)
2nd Half38-51Elijah Crawford makes layup
2nd Half38-54Damien Mayo Jr. makes 24-foot three point jumper
2nd Half40-54Elijah Crawford makes layup
2nd Half41-54Abdul Momoh makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half42-54Abdul Momoh makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half44-54Abdul Momoh makes layup
2nd Half44-55Prince Aligbe makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half46-55Ahmad Henderson II makes layup
2nd Half46-56Drew Steffe makes free throw 2 of 3
2nd Half46-57Drew Steffe makes free throw 3 of 3
2nd Half48-57Sam Silverstein makes 0-foot tip in layup
2nd Half48-59Quel'Ron House makes layup
2nd Half50-59Elijah Crawford makes layup
2nd Half52-59Ahmad Henderson II makes 13-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half52-61Rolyns Aligbe makes layup (Damien Mayo Jr. assists)
2nd Half54-61Elijah Crawford makes layup
2nd Half54-63Damien Mayo Jr. makes 6-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half54-64Prince Aligbe makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half55-64Andy Johnson makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half56-64Andy Johnson makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half58-64Ahmad Henderson II makes layup
2nd Half60-64Jayce Nathaniel makes layup (Ahmad Henderson II assists)
2nd Half60-66Jalen Haynes makes layup
2nd Half63-66Ahmad Henderson II makes 26-foot three point jumper (Jayce Nathaniel assists)
2nd Half64-66Elijah Crawford makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half65-66Elijah Crawford makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half67-66Abdul Momoh makes layup
2nd Half68-66Mekhi Lowery makes free throw 2 of 2