Missouri State basketball vs Southern Illinois: Scouting report, prediction for MVC action

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For the second consecutive game, Missouri State basketball and Southern Illinois will meet on the hardwood, this time in Springfield at Great Southern Bank Arena.

The struggling Bears (7-10, 0-6 MVC) will host the Salukis (6-11, 1-5) MVC on Wednesday night at 6 p.m.

The scheduling quirk saw the Salukis beat the Bears 88-78 in overtime on Saturday night in Carbondale, Illinois. The Salukis will now travel 300 miles west in the final regular season game between the rivals as Missouri Valley Conference foes.

Cuonzo Martin’s first season back as Missouri State’s coach hasn’t necessarily gone to plan, sitting alone in last place during the team’s final run through the Valley. It’s the first time the Bears have started 0-6 in league play as a member of the Valley.

Southern Illinois struggled similarly until it won its first league game on Saturday under new coach Scott Nagy.

Missouri State junior Vincent Brady II drives to the basket as the Bears took on the University of Illinois Chicago Flames at Great Southern Bank Arena on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.

Southern Illinois basketball just beat Missouri State in Carbondale

The Bears erased a 10-point deficit in the final 3:50 of Saturday night’s contest in Carbondale to force overtime, but they couldn’t maintain their momentum in the extra period and fell by 10.

The Salukis were led by Link Year Prep’s Jarrett Hensley, who had a career-high 30 points on 11 of 16 shooting. The Bears got 24 points from Vincent Brady II and 23 from Zaxton King. The rest of MSU’s roster was 11 for 31 from the field.

A handful of Bears struggled to avoid foul trouble during the game. The team committed 22 fouls, with Michael Osei-Bonsu fouling out with seven minutes remaining.

They were also dominated in points in the paint, with the Salukis outscoring the Bears 46-24. The Bears also turned the ball over 19 times.

Former Missouri State guard Damien Mayo Jr. starting for the Salukis

Former Bears starter Damien Mayo Jr. has started for the Salukis in each of their last…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/missouri-state-basketball-vs-southern-090344164.html

Author : Springfield News-Leader

Publish date : 2025-01-14 09:03:00

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