EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (Interstat) — SIU Edwardsville held off a second-half push from Southern Indiana to win 59-55 in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Thursday at Vadalabene Center. The Cougars led 28-23 at halftime. The Screaming Eagles closed the gap after the break, but SIU Edwardsville secured the conference victory in front of 1,849 fans. Tolu Samuels led Southern Indiana with 14 points and eight rebounds. SIU Edwardsville’s Jack Campion scored 11 points. The Cougars improved to 9-5 overall. Southern Indiana fell to 3-9. Both teams open Ohio Valley Conference play.

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (Interstat) — An Ohio Valley Conference men’s basketball matchup featuring two teams on divergent paths will tip off the new year when the SIU Edwardsville Cougars host the Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles on Thursday at Vadalabene Center. The Cougars (8-5) enter conference play with momentum, having won four of their last five games. Their most recent result was a 66-61 road victory at Western Illinois on Dec. 22. Forward Ring Malith has been a consistent force, averaging 20 points over his last four games, including a 24-point performance against Western Illinois. Conversely, Southern Indiana (3-8) seeks to halt a four-game skid. The Screaming Eagles fell 64-60 in overtime to Morehead State on Dec. 20 in their last outing. Guard Kaden Brown, who scored 13 points in that loss, will be a key figure in Southern Indiana’s backcourt. The team has struggled offensively during its losing streak, failing to reach 65 points in any of the four defeats. The game marks the first of two regular-season meetings between the programs this season. They are scheduled to meet again in Evansville, Indiana, on Jan. 31. SIU Edwardsville holds a distinct advantage in the early season ledger, boasting a winning record compared to Southern Indiana’s 3-8 mark. The Cougars have also shown more offensive firepower, averaging over 73 points per game. Southern Indiana will need to find answers on both ends of the floor to challenge the favored Cougars on their home court. Tipoff is set for Thursday afternoon in Edwardsville. SIU Edwardsville will host Morehead State on Saturday, while Southern Indiana travels to face Lindenwood the same day.