ST. LOUIS, Mo. (WSIL) -- The Salukis held on in the final seconds to move on in the MVC Tournament on Thursday.
No. 8 SIU took on No. 9 Indiana State with the first game of the 2025 State Farm MVC Men's Basketball Tournament at the Enterprise Center.
It was a close game throughout, however, a dunk from SIU's Davion Sykes gave the Salukis their largest lead, up 64-51 with 16 minutes remaining in the 2nd half.
The Sycamores inched their way back and took the lead 85-84 after Samage Teel made the layup with 1:12 left on the clock.
As the clock ticked down, Davion Sykes hit the layup with seconds left on the clock, putting SIU out in front 86-85 and held on to win it.
SIU shot 53% from the field for the game with 10 turnovers and 37 rebounds. Indiana State shot 50% from the field for the game with 8 turnovers and 29 rebounds.
Next up, #8 SIU takes on #1 Drake on March 7, at 12 p.m.