The Salukis (8-2) hold the series record at 7-1 after SIUE's (2-7) 76-74 win.
"They deserved to win this game," coach Barry Hinson said. "Even if we would have won the ball game, we didn't deserve it."
Sophomore guard C.J. Carr hit a step-back jump shot with his foot on the three-point arc with 25 seconds left to give the Cougars a lead they wouldn't lose.
Hinson said he was not confused about whether or not the shot was from three-point range.
"I didn't want to call a timeout because I didn't want to give them a chance to double [senior guard] Anthony [Beane]," he said.