SIU men’s basketball clinched its first winning regular season since the 2007-08 season Sunday by defeating Drake 81-76 in Des Moines, Iowa.

The Salukis (16-3, 5-1 Missouri Valley Conference) have the best road record (7-0) in the country and in team history. The Dawgs are one of seven Division I teams undefeated away from home.

Senior guard Anthony Beane led SIU with 26 points, his fifth-highest output of the season. 

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Five Salukis finished in double figures, including redshirt freshman forward Austin Weiher, who tied his career-high with 10 points on 5-5 shooting.

Sophomore guard Reed Timmer led the Bulldogs with a game-high 27 points on 8-14 shooting.

The first half was back and forth early, as the lead changed hands nine times. Despite the lead changes, Drake (5-13, 0-6 MVC) led for just 2:29 in the first half.

SIU finished the half on a 12-2 run as junior center Bola Olaniyan registered five points, two rebounds, one block and a steal in the final minute to give the Salukis their halftime lead of 42-31.

Olaniyan picked up his sixth career double-double in the game, finishing with 11 points and 14 rebounds. His 14 rebounds tie his career high.

Turnovers played a large role in the first half, as SIU forced 12 from Drake and only gave the ball away once. The Salukis scored 20 points on the Bulldogs’ turnovers.

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Drake’s offense was strong in the second half, shooting 59.3 percent (16-27) from the field and 45.5 percent (5-11) from 3-point range.

Drake came back to take the lead with 8:06 left in the game, but a 13-2 Saluki run gave the team a 10-point lead that lasted until the final buzzer.

The Dawgs return home to take on the Indiana State Sycamores at 7 p.m. Wednesday at SIU Arena.

Sean Carley can be reached at [email protected] or at 536-3304.