NORMAL, Ill. (Interstat) — In a Missouri Valley Conference men’s basketball game defined by defensive grit and offensive struggle, Southern Illinois edged Illinois State 54-50 on Tuesday night at Redbird Arena, overcoming a significant pregame projection that heavily favored the home team.

The Salukis, who entered the contest with a 10-13 record and were given just a 15 percent chance to win by statistical models, snapped a two-game skid and avenged a 75-68 home loss to the Redbirds from December. Illinois State, which had been installed as a 7.5-point favorite, fell to 15-8 overall.

The game was a stark departure from typical offensive outputs, with the teams combining for a total of 104 points, falling well short of a pregame over/under line of 142. Both teams labored through inefficient offensive nights. Southern Illinois scored its 54 points on 69 possessions for an offensive rating of 78.1, while Illinois State managed just 50 points on 70 possessions, an offensive rating of 71.7.

The contest was decided by Southern Illinois’s ability to generate higher-percentage shots and capitalize marginally better at the free-throw line. The Salukis shot 21 of 52 from the field, a 40.4 percent clip, and made 11 of 15 free throws. Illinois State was colder, connecting on just 19 of 60 field goal attempts, 31.7 percent, and 6 of 10 from the line. While the Redbirds hit six three-pointers to the Salukis’ one, Southern Illinois dominated inside, outscoring Illinois State 32-24 in the paint.

The most critical phase of the game unfolded in the final minute, with Southern Illinois clinging to a narrow lead. After a Quel’Ron House floating jumper put the Salukis up 46-44 with 41 seconds remaining, Illinois State’ Johnny Kinziger answered with a clutch three-pointer off a Landon Wolf assist, cutting the deficit to 47-46 with 21 seconds left.

Southern Illinois’s Jalen Haynes was fouled on the ensuing inbounds play and made the first of two free throws, extending the lead to 48-46. He missed the second, but Illinois State’s Ty Pence secured the defensive rebound. The Redbirds had a chance to tie or take the lead, but Landon Wolf’s three-point attempt with 11 seconds left missed. Tyreek Coleman grabbed the offensive rebound for Illinois State and immediately sank a three-pointer of his own, tying the game at 50-50 with just six seconds on the clock.

The Salukis, without a timeout to advance the ball, executed perfectly in the chaos. House took the inbound pass, raced upcourt, and found a cutting Rolyns Aligbe for a decisive dunk with 2.7 seconds remaining, putting Southern Illinois back ahead 52-50. Illinois State’s final desperation attempt was thwarted, and Haynes sealed the victory with two more free throws for the final margin.

House, a guard from Louisville, Kentucky, was the offensive catalyst for Southern Illinois, playing 39 minutes and scoring a game-high 22 points on 9-of-19 shooting, adding two assists and a crucial block. His penetration and mid-range game provided a steadying presence. Forward Rolyns Aligbe of Minneapolis contributed 12 points and a game-high 11 rebounds, including the game-winning dunk.

For Illinois State, Kinziger, a guard from De Pere, Wisconsin, led the way with 10 points and four assists. Forward Chase Walker of Columbus, Ohio, also scored 12 points but needed 13 shots to do so. The Redbirds were hampered by 12 turnovers, which Southern Illinois converted into nine points, while the Salukis’ 15 turnovers led to only seven points for Illinois State.

The first half set the tone for the defensive battle, with Illinois State taking a slim 24-22 lead into the break. Both teams shot under 35 percent from the field in the opening period. Southern Illinois found its rhythm slightly better after halftime, outscoring the Redbirds 32-26 in the second half to secure the road victory.

The win moves Southern Illinois to 10-13 overall, while Illinois State drops to 15-8. Both teams return to conference play on Friday, with Southern Illinois hosting Murray State and Illinois State welcoming Drake.