Eastern Illinois defeats SIU-Edwardsville in OVC Tournament

Fruster and McMorris lead Eastern Illinois to 77-71 overtime win

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Eastern Illinois defeated SIU-Edwardsville 77-71 in overtime in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament on Wednesday. Zion Fruster scored 23 points for Eastern Illinois, while Terry McMorris added 5 points in the overtime period to lead his team to victory.

Why it matters

The Ohio Valley Conference Tournament is a key event for college basketball teams looking to secure a spot in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. This win for Eastern Illinois keeps their postseason hopes alive as they advance in the OVC Tournament.

The details

In the overtime period, Eastern Illinois was able to pull away from SIU-Edwardsville, with Terry McMorris scoring 5 crucial points to help his team secure the 77-71 victory. Zion Fruster led all scorers with 23 points for Eastern Illinois.

  • The game took place on Wednesday, March 5, 2026 in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament.

The players

Zion Fruster

A player for Eastern Illinois who scored 23 points in the game.

Terry McMorris

A player for Eastern Illinois who scored 5 points in the overtime period to help his team win.

Eastern Illinois

The college basketball team that defeated SIU-Edwardsville in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament.

SIU-Edwardsville

The college basketball team that lost to Eastern Illinois in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament.

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What’s next

The winner of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament.

The takeaway

This win keeps Eastern Illinois' postseason hopes alive as they advance in the competitive Ohio Valley Conference Tournament, showcasing the team's resilience and ability to perform in high-pressure situations.