Edwardsville's Cougars Lose to Illinois in a Back-and-Forth Matchup

Game Highlights

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Cougars men’s basketball team gave the University of Illinois Fighting Illini a run for their money in the nonconference matchup. The game went into overtime, but the Illini ultimately defeated the Cougars 81-76 at the State Farm Center in Champaign on Tuesday night.

Cougars' Strong Performance

Despite being outmatched by the Illini in terms of size and athleticism, the Cougars showed a lot of heart and determination. They hit 10 three-pointers in the game, led by Antonio Reeves' 5-10 shooting from behind the arc. SIUE closed the gap with clutch free throws down the stretch, forcing an overtime period.

Illini's Victory

In overtime, the Illini showed their experience and composure, outscoring the Cougars 8-2 to secure the victory. Matthew Mayer led all scorers with 24 points, followed by Reeves' 19 for the Cougars.

Cougars' Season Outlook

Despite the loss, the Cougars' performance against the Illini provides some optimism for their upcoming season. The Cougars showed they have the talent and potential to be competitive in the Ohio Valley Conference. They will look to build on this performance and make a run in the conference tournament.

Conclusion

Overall, the Cougars' performance against the Illini was a great learning experience for their young team. They showed a lot of fight and determination, and they will look to carry that momentum into the rest of the season.