EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Jerome Jones scored a team-high 23 points Monday and hit four key free throws in the final 20 seconds as SIUE defeated Eureka 77-74 at the Vadalabene Center.

The Cougars improved to 3-5 with the victory and have a short turn-around for a Wednesday matchup at home against Robert Morris (Springfield). Game time is 7 p.m.

"Our guys finished down the stretch, and that's something we were working on in practice as far as situations go," said SIUE men's basketball Head Coach Lennox Forrester. "Even when you're down, there's still plenty of time left, and I thought our guys didn't panic. They kept their composure and made plays like a steal or an offensive rebound, and our guys made their free throws down the stretch."

Jones was one of three SIUE players who scored in double figures. Both Michael Messer and Tim Johnson posted season highs for the Cougars finishing with 18 and 17 points, respectively.

"Michael did a great job tonight and hit a tough lay-up down the stretch," said Forrester.

"Tim had a nice put back at the end.  We weren't crashing the boards enough in the first half, but he stepped up and made a nice play.  It was a great energy play, and he's the kind of player who is capable of doing that."

Despite a hot-shooting Eureka team led by 24 points from Dustin Fritsch, the Cougars took advantage of Red Devils errors down the stretch. SIUE picked up 30 points off Eureka's 19 turnovers.

Jones led SIUE with a career-best five steals. SIUE also finished with a season-high 11 steals.

SIUE held a 45-41 advantage at halftime and held off Eureka's charge. Mark Klessen scored 17 points for Eureka while Jordan Kindred added 12. Eureka dropped to 3-6.

"We need to get back to the grindstone and work to be ready for Wednesday. We need to fix some things defensively, and we have to get a win before we go on Christmas break," said Forrester.