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Vincennes University

No. 1 Trailblazers Survive Region Test at SWIC

No. 1 Trailblazers Survive Region Test at SWIC
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January 28, 2026

BELLEVILLE, Ill. — The No. 1 Vincennes University Men's Basketball team passed another demanding Region 24 road test Wednesday night, grinding out a 62–57 victory at Southwestern Illinois College to remain unbeaten at 21–0 overall and 8–0 in region play.

The game unfolded as a physical, half-court battle from the opening tip, with neither team able to find consistent rhythm offensively. VU carried a 33–25 lead into halftime before Southwestern Illinois closed the gap in the second half, cutting the margin to a single possession multiple times down the stretch. The Trailblazers answered with timely stops and just enough execution late to secure the five-point win.

Following the game, NJCAA Hall of Fame Head Coach Todd Franklin, now in his 16th season leading the Trailblazers, acknowledged the challenge of playing on the road in Region 24 and the difficulty of finding offensive flow. "Always good to win at SWIC," Franklin said. "Coach Harrington (Southwestern Illinois Head Coach) is a Hall of Fame coach for a reason. They make you grind and work. I thought most of the night we defended well and once again won the battle of the boards, which was key on a night where we were not putting the ball in the hole very effectively."

VU finished the night shooting 35.3 percent from the field and 28.0 percent from three-point range, while converting 19-of-31 at the free-throw line, struggling to find consistent offensive rhythm. The Trailblazers offset those challenges by controlling possessions, outrebounding Southwestern Illinois 45–29, including 14 offensive boards, and generating extra scoring opportunities. While SWIC was slightly more efficient overall from the field at 36.8 percent, Vincennes limited perimeter damage by holding the Blue Storm to just 21.7 percent from three-point range.

Individually, freshman guard Drae Vasser led the Trailblazers with 15 points, knocking down 3-of-8 from three-point range, while adding two assists. Sophomore forward Prince Ojukwu followed with 12 points and seven rebounds, delivering key effort plays on both ends. Sophomore guard Dayton Williams added nine points while pulling down a game-high nine rebounds, as VU leaned on balanced scoring across the lineup.

Franklin emphasized that the lack of offensive rhythm is something the group must address quickly as league play continues. "We lacked an offensive spark of any type tonight," Franklin said. "We really had a hard time putting the ball in the basket. The ball has to move crisper, shots have to come out of the hand cleaner. We've got to find some life, some bounce, some snap — and we've got to find it in a hurry."

Despite the uneven offensive night, Franklin pointed to defensive effort and rebounding as the foundation for the win. "When the lights are on, you've got to have a level of confidence. We didn't have it offensively tonight, but we defended and rebounded well enough to get out of here with a win."

With the victory, the Trailblazers will return home next to host John A. Logan College on Saturday, January 31 at 4 p.m. ET inside the P.E. Complex. VU won the first meeting between the two teams back in December, 87–80, in Carterville.

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