CHARLESTON, Ill. — In a closely contested match on Tuesday night, Ray’Sean Taylor led SIU Edwardsville to a thrilling 60-57 win over Eastern Illinois, scoring 19 points.

Taylor’s performance was complemented by his five rebounds, contributing significantly to the Cougars’ success. The team, now standing at 10 wins and six losses with a 3-2 record in the Ohio Valley Conference, also saw Ring Malith shine with 15 points. Malith demonstrated efficiency, hitting five of eight attempts from the field and converting all four of his free throw attempts, while also grabbing 11 rebounds.

Desmond Polk added to the offensive efforts with seven points, having shot three out of six from the field, including one of three from beyond the arc.

On the other side, the Panthers struggled but had some strong individual performances. Zion Fruster was the standout for Eastern Illinois, scoring 17 points and making three steals. Nakyel Shelton was another key player, contributing 14 points along with seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals in his performance. Kooper Jacobi also made an impact, scoring 12 points and securing nine rebounds along with two steals, although the team dropped to a record of 5-10 and 1-3 in conference play.

This hard-fought game showcased the talents of both teams, making for an exciting evening of basketball.