SIUE

Men's Basketball Coach Marty Simmons quipped that the Cougars needed to pinch themselves after earning a spot in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight. SIUE won an overtime battle 64-60 over Great Lakes Valley Conference rival Southern Indiana to advance to its only appearance in the Elite Eight only to fall to eventual national champion Virginia Union 60-58 in Springfield, Massachusetts. Ty Johnson set a school record in the NCAA Great Lakes Regional semifinals by hitting 19 of 22 free throws in an 80-69 win over Quincy. Johnson, J.B. Jones, Mike Hardiek and Ryan Belcher all averaged double figures in scoring for the season. Belcher also crushed the single-season steals record with 101 in 33 games. The Cougars set school records for wins in a season (25) and consecutive victories (16). Other members of the Elite Eight winners include Nick Arth, Logan Brand, Asa Clayborne, Anthony Jones, Ross Laux, Martel Mahon, Patrick McDermott, Doug Taylor and Justin Ward as well as assistant coaches Mark Allaria and Marcus Belcher.