S Illinois defeats Belmont 67-68
S Illinois Edges Belmont in Thrilling 68-67 Upset
The Curb Event Center Arena was electric on Tuesday night as the S Illinois Cougars, the visiting team from the Southern Conference, pulled off a stunning 68-67 victory over the home-standing Belmont Bruins in conference play. The narrow win marked a significant upset for the road team and highlighted the resilience of both squads.
In a game that saw both teams trade leads throughout the contest, S Illinois ultimately emerged victorious with a one-point margin, sending shockwaves throughout the conference. The Bruins, led by senior forward Jabez Jenkins' 17 points on an impressive 85.7% shooting night, struggled to find consistency beyond their star player's efforts.
Meanwhile, Quel'Ron House led the way for S Illinois, putting up 15 points on 41.7% shooting, including key buckets in the waning minutes of the game that proved decisive.
Despite Belmont's impressive all-around performance, which included Drew Scharnowski's 10 rebounds and Isaiah West's three assists, they were unable to overcome their inability to find a reliable scoring punch beyond Jenkins' heroics.
S Illinois capitalized on this vulnerability, utilizing its own depth to outlast the Bruins in what turned into an instant classic. The difference was made in crunch time, as both teams found themselves neck-and-neck with just minutes left on the clock.
Advanced Statistics Reveal Game-Changing Factors
From a statistical standpoint, S Illinois' ability to limit Belmont's 3-point attempts while capitalizing on its own efficient shooting played a pivotal role in the win. The Bruins struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just three of their 12 attempts (25%), which contrasted sharply with S Illinois' more balanced approach.
On the other hand, both teams were unable to overcome their high turnover rates and rebounding struggles, particularly on the defensive end for Belmont.
Conclusion
In a game that could have gone either way until its final buzzer, S Illinois's ability to stay composed under pressure ultimately paid dividends. The win marked a significant statement from the Cougars in conference play, further fueling their playoff aspirations.