SIU Edwardsville grabs first berth to NCAA tourney

(Photo credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images)

Ray'Sean Taylor scored 20 points and SIU Edwardsville dominated on defense to become the first team to clinch a berth in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, beating Southeast Missouri State 69-48 on Saturday in the Ohio Valley Conference tournament final in Evansville, Ill.

The Cougars (22-11) limited the Redhawks (21-12) to 28.3 percent shooting from the floor, including a