James Madison Dukes at Southern Illinois Salukis
· Cancun Challenge - Riviera Division
Edwards scores 24 and No. 22 James Madison beats Southern Illinois to spoil Johnson's career night
James Madison (5-0), which collected a program-record 217 points in the AP Top 25 poll on Monday, will take on either Fresno State or New Mexico State in the championship game on Wednesday.
Edwards made a long jumper from the top of the key with 35.2 seconds left for a 79-74 lead. Johnson was short on a 3-pointer at the other end and Bickerstaff was fouled before making two free throws to make it 81-74.
Julien Wooden and Noah Freidel each had 10 points for James Madison. Edwards was 9 of 12 from the field and Bickerstaff was 8 of 12 to help JMU shoot 53%.
Johnson finished 11 of 20 from the field, including 4 of 9 from 3-point range, and 12 of 12 from the free-throw line for Southern Illinois (3-1). Johnson has made all 32 of his free-throw attempts this season. AJ Ferguson, coming off a career-high 20 points in a victory over Chicago State, was held scoreless.
James Madison built an early 16-point lead in the first half before Johnson took over for Southern Illinois. The Salukis closed the first half on an 8-1 run to get within 40-39. Johnson finished the half with 22 points.
The Salukis were seeking their first win over a top-25 team since topping No. 22 Wichita State in 2013.
How can I watch James Madison vs. Southern Illinois?
Recent Plays
| 2nd 0:00 | End of Game | 82 - 76 |
| 2nd 0:00 | End of 2nd half | 82 - 76 |
| 2nd 0:00 | Southern Illinois Offensive Rebound. | 82 - 76 |
| 2nd 0:01 | Xavier Johnson missed Three Point Jumper. | 82 - 76 |
| 2nd 0:08 | Xavier Brown made Free Throw. | 82 - 76 |
Statistics
 JMU |
 SIU |
|
|---|---|---|
| 31-59 | FG | 22-49 |
| 53 | Field Goal % | 45 |
| 5-13 | 3PT | 9-24 |
| 38 | Three Point % | 38 |
| 15-28 | FT | 23-28 |
| 54 | Free Throw % | 82 |
| 31 | Rebounds | 27 |
| 9 | Offensive Rebounds | 5 |
| 22 | Defensive Rebounds | 22 |
| 10 | Assists | 8 |
| 7 | Steals | 5 |
| 5 | Blocks | 1 |
| 12 | Turnovers | 14 |
| 0 | Team Turnovers | 0 |
| 12 | Total Turnovers | 14 |
| 0 | Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Total Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Flagrant Fouls | 0 |
| 21 | Points Off Turnovers | 19 |
| 13 | Fast Break Points | 6 |
| 42 | Points in Paint | 26 |
| 21 | Fouls | 25 |
| 16 | Largest Lead | 5 |
Game Information
Location: Cancun, Mexico
Attendance: 417 | Capacity:
2025-26 Sun Belt Conference Standings
| TEAM | CONF | GB | OVER |
|---|---|---|---|
| Troy | 12-6 | - | 22-12 |
| South Alabama | 11-7 | 1 | 21-12 |
| Arkansas State | 11-7 | 1 | 20-12 |
| Texas State | 11-7 | 1 | 19-13 |
| Marshall | 11-7 | 1 | 19-13 |
| Coastal Carolina | 11-7 | 1 | 19-13 |
| App State | 11-7 | 1 | 19-13 |
| James Madison | 9-9 | 3 | 18-15 |
| Southern Miss | 9-9 | 3 | 19-16 |
| Georgia Southern | 8-10 | 4 | 21-16 |
| Old Dominion | 7-11 | 5 | 12-21 |
| Louisiana | 7-11 | 5 | 11-22 |
| Georgia State | 7-11 | 5 | 10-22 |
| UL Monroe | 1-17 | 11 | 4-28 |
2025-26 Missouri Valley Conference Standings
| TEAM | CONF | GB | OVER |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont | 16-4 | - | 26-6 |
| Bradley | 13-7 | 3 | 21-13 |
| Illinois State | 12-8 | 4 | 23-13 |
| Murray State | 12-8 | 4 | 20-13 |
| UIC | 12-8 | 4 | 19-16 |
| Northern Iowa | 11-9 | 5 | 23-13 |
| Valparaiso | 11-9 | 5 | 18-15 |
| Southern Illinois | 10-10 | 6 | 16-16 |
| Drake | 6-14 | 10 | 14-20 |
| Indiana State | 4-16 | 12 | 11-21 |
| Evansville | 3-17 | 13 | 7-25 |