SIUE men rout Western Illinois, clinch OVC No. 5 seed

SIUE snapped a 3-game skid with a 67-47 win over Western Illinois, locking up the OVC tournament's No. 5 seed behind stifling defense.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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SIUE men's basketball team snapped a three-game losing streak with a 67-47 victory over Western Illinois on Thursday at First Community Arena. The win, coupled with a loss by Lindenwood, secured the fifth-seed for SIUE in next week's Ohio Valley Conference tournament. SIUE limited Western Illinois to just 29 percent shooting for the game, the second fewest points allowed by SIUE this season.

Why it matters

The win helps SIUE secure a spot in the upcoming OVC tournament, which is an important milestone for the team as they look to make a deep postseason run. SIUE's stifling defense was a key factor in the victory, showcasing their ability to shut down opposing offenses.

The details

SIUE used an 11-0 run early in the first half to take a 20-5 lead, but Western Illinois fought back to cut the deficit to 26-22 late in the half. SIUE then pushed the lead to 30-23 at halftime. In the second half, SIUE went on a 9-0 run to extend their lead to 43-27, and they eventually led by as many as 24 points. SIUE shot 49 percent for the game and outscored Western Illinois 42-14 in the paint.

  • SIUE improved to 18-12 overall and 11-8 in the OVC with the win on Thursday.
  • SIUE will conclude the regular season on Saturday when they host Eastern Illinois.

The players

Darrion Baker

A player for SIUE who drove on Lucas Lorenzen of Western Illinois during the game.

Tyler King

Led all scorers with 18 points on 7-of-15 shooting for SIUE.

Kyle Thomas

Scored 15 points and led SIUE with eight rebounds.

Arnas Sakenis

Scored 14 points and added four rebounds and four blocks for SIUE.

Jack Campion

Scored six points and added seven assists for SIUE.

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What’s next

SIUE will conclude the regular season on Saturday when they host Eastern Illinois. Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m. and SIUE will honor its 2026 seniors in a pregame ceremony.

The takeaway

SIUE's dominant defensive performance and balanced scoring attack were key factors in their victory over Western Illinois, which secured their spot in the upcoming OVC tournament. The team's ability to bounce back from a three-game losing streak and lock up the No. 5 seed shows their resilience and determination as they prepare for the postseason.