Houston vs. SIU Edwardsville live score, updates, highlights from 2025 March Madness Round 1 game

After a historic run through Big 12 Conference play, Houston now sets its sights on bringing home the program’s first national title.

The Cougars begin their quest on Thursday afternoon as they take on SIU Edwardsville in Wichita for an opening-round Midwest Region tilt in the NCAA Tournament.

Houston – the No. 1 seed in the Midwest – enters the NCAA Tournament on a 13-game winning streak and after a 4-3 start, come in having won 26 of its last 27 ballgames. That included a 19-1 record in the Big 12, the most wins in a single season by any school in that league, along with capturing the Big 12 Tournament championship in just Houston’s second season in the conference.

Watch: Stream 2025 March Madness games live with Sling TV

SIU Edwardsville – the No. 16 seed – is making its first trip to the NCAA tourney. Also nicknamed the Cougars, SIU Edwardsville punched its long-awaited ticket to the “Big Dance” after winning the Ohio Valley Conference tournament.

The Sporting News will track live updates and highlights of the Houston-SIU Edwardsville NCAA tourney game. Follow along for live scores and updates.

Houston vs. SIU Edwardsville score

HOUSTON 58, SIU EDWARDSVILLE 30 2ND HALF

Houston vs. SIU Edwardsville live updates, results, highlights from 2025 March Madness game

(All times CT)

2:20 p.m. – Milos Uzan with 16 points and LJ Cryer with 15. The two have combined to go 11-of-19 from the field and make six 3’s. Ja’Vier Francis with 13 points and six boards off the bench as well for Houston.

1:50 p.m. – LJ Cryer hits back-to-back 3’s to end the first half and now has 15 points. Houston shot 61.3% from the field in the opening half (19-of-31).

1:43 p.m. – LJ Cryer and Ja’Vier Francis knocking on the door of double figures, as both Houston players have 9 points each.

1:36 p.m. – Milos Uzan now with 14 points for Houston, which is also getting a good contribution off the bench from Ja’Vier Francis, who has 7 points and four rebounds.

1:24 p.m. – Houston already 5-of-8 from 3-point land.

1:15 p.m. – Houston keeps expanding its lead, as Milos Uzan already has 9 points and has made his first four shot attempts.

1:06 p.m. – Down 4-2, Houston has reeled off 10 straight points, highlighted by 3’s from Emanuel Sharp and LJ Cryer.

1 p.m. – Tipping off now in Wichita.

12:55 p.m. – Starting lineups for both teams

SIU Edwardsville:

• Ring Malith

• Desmond Polk

• Kyle Thomas

• Ray’Sean Taylor

• Brian Taylor

Houston:

• LJ Cryer

• Milos Uzan

• Emanuel Sharp

• Joseph Tugler

• J’Wan Roberts

12:05 p.m. – Getting ready for the start of the NCAA Tournament at Wichita’s INTRUST Bank Arena.

Houston vs. SIU Edwardsville start time

•. Date: Thursday, March 20

•. Time: 1 p.m. CT

Houston’s Cougars take on the Cougars from SIU Edwardsville in the first round of the NCAA Midwest Region, the start of four games taking place Thursday in Wichita.