Bears Battle Salukis to Wire in Valley Opener

Wednesday, January 2

Carbondale, IL

7:00 p.m.

Missouri State University

6-8, 0-1MVC

Southern Illinois

8-6, 1-0MVC

Team	1	2	F
Missouri State	31	39	70
Southern Illinois	39	36	75

Bears Battle Salukis to Wire in Valley Opener

January 02, 2019 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score

By: MSU Athletics Communications

Final Stats | Season Stats | MVC-Only Stats | Tickets for Valpo Game

CARBONDALE, Ill. – Missouri State gave a veteran Southern Illinois squad everything it wanted and then some here Wednesday, but eventually ran out of clock in a 75-70 defeat in the Missouri Valley Conference opener for both clubs.

Ryan Kreklow and Keandre Cook led the Bears (6-8, 0-1 MVC) with 15 points apiece. The tandem combined for eight 3-pointers.

Kavion Pippen led SIU (8-6, 1-0 MVC) with 23 points, while Aaron Cook poured in 15. Eric McGill also played big for the Salukis with 14 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.

After trailing by nine at the break, the Bears took less than six minutes into the second half to tie the game for the first time, 46-46, after a 3-pointer and free throw by freshman Jan Wojcik.

The Salukis then went on a 12-4 run over the next five minutes to lead 58-50 before a triple by Kreklow gave the Bears a needed spark midway through the final period and make it five-point game.

Southern Illinois' lead teetered between 3-5 points most of the next six minutes, but a corner step-back trey by Cook got MSU with 65-63 headed into the final four minutes of the game.

However, the Bears could simply not capitalize down the stretch, missing close-range or open shots on four straight possessions coming out of the final media timeout, while Southern got a dunk by Pippen and a corner three by Aaron Cook to build its lead to seven.

Still, MSU's inspired enthusiasm in the final minute saw Cook hit a pair of foul shots, while Josh Webster had a steal, a layup and a 3-pointer, the latter of which made it 73-70 with 5.5 ticks on the clock.

But SIU's Cook iced it with a pair of free throws from there to make it a five-point differential.

SIU was 16-for-22 (.727) at the line, converted 11-of-23 (.478) from long range, and made an even 24-for-48 from the field. The Salukis out-rebounded the Bears 35-30, with five huge offensive rebounds – all in the second half – that led to nine second-chance points.

Missouri State finished 23-of-57 (.404) overall from the field, 11-of-25 (.440) from long range and 13-of-18 (.722) at the stripe. MSU committed 10 turnovers and just three in the second half.

After making just one of their first six shots on the night, the Bears found themselves behind 12-4 before the first media timeout. MSU then chipped away over the next 10 minutes, finally getting a handle on Pippen, and getting with 28-25 after a 3-pointer by Kreklow with just over five minutes before the intermission.

Southern Illinois responded with a triple by freshman Darius Beane, but Kreklow took the visitors into the final media timeout with his third trey of the opening period to make it 31-28.

However, just before the intermission, McGill tossed up a desperation 3-pointer from the top of the key that found its home – his fourth of the half – to put the home team ahead 39-31 at the midway point.

Tulio Da Silva notched 13 points and a team-high seven rebounds for Missouri State, while Webster added 11 points with six assists. Kreklow, who also had three steals, finished 5-of-6 from 3-point range with five rebounds.

The Bears continue conference play at JQH Arena this Saturday at 1 p.m. against Valparaiso in their Missouri Valley Conference home opener.

Tickets for the Valpo game are available now at MissouriStateBears.com or by visiting the Old Missouri Bank Box Office at JQH Arena, (417) 836-7678, during regular box office hours.

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