SIU Edwardsville grabs first berth to NCAA tourney

Field Level Media|published: Sun 9th March, 06:02 2025

NCAA Basketball: SIU - Edwardsville at Indiana

Nov 6, 2024; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; SIU Edwardsville Cougars head coach Brian Barone looks on during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Ray'Sean Taylor scored 20 points and SIU Edwardsville dominated on defense to become the first team to clinch a berth in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, beating Southeast Missouri State 69-48 on Saturday in the Ohio Valley Conference tournament final in Evansville, Ill.

The Cougars (22-11) limited the Redhawks (21-12) to 28.3 percent shooting from the floor, including a 3-for-24 effort from 3-point range.

SIU Edwardsville, which moved to Division I in 2008-09, is headed to the top-level tournament for the first time. The Cougars made five appearances in the Division II tournament from 1986 to 2006.

Ring Malith finished with 12 points while Brian Taylor II added 10 for SIU Edwardsville. Rob Martin put up 18 points and Brendan Terry had 16 for Southeast Missouri State.

--Field Level Media

Latest