MACOMB, Ill. — On Saturday night, Ray’Sean Taylor contributed significantly to SIU-Edwardsville’s triumph over Western Illinois with an impressive 23-point performance, leading his team to a 69-65 victory.

Taylor displayed his shooting skills by making 7 of 17 attempts from the floor, including a strong 5 for 9 from beyond the arc, along with a perfect performance from the free-throw line, going 4 for 4. The Cougars improved their record to 15 wins and 8 losses, maintaining an 8-4 standing in the Ohio Valley Conference. Alongside Taylor, Kyle Thomas was a valuable asset, finishing the game with 15 points, 11 rebounds, and three shots blocked. Ring Malith also made a noteworthy contribution, netting 14 points by shooting 5 for 7 from the field and closing with a flawless 3 for 3 from the free-throw line.

The Leathernecks, currently struggling, were unable to break their losing streak, which has now extended to eight games. Marko Maletic led the team with an impressive 24 points and seven rebounds. Additionally, Trey Deveaux added to the team’s efforts with 13 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks, while Massal Diouf contributed 11 points and six rebounds.

Looking ahead, SIU-Edwardsville is set to face Eastern Illinois at home on Tuesday, while Western Illinois will travel to Tennessee State for their next contest on Thursday.