Southern Illinois Salukis @ Missouri State Bears
Missouri State tops Southern Illinois 69-63
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Jarmar Gulley scored 17 points and grabbed 11 rebounds Saturday night as Missouri State beat Southern Illinois 69-63.
Gavin Thurman scored 14, Dorrian Williams 13, Austin Ruder 12, and the Bears (14-6, 4-4 Missouri Valley) outshot the Salukis 50 percent to 46 percent.
Southern Illinois (6-15, 2-6) opened with an 8-0 run, but Christian Kirk put Missouri State out in front 16-15 with a jumper at 6:35. Southern Illinois regained the lead 27-26 on a jumper by Anthony Beane, but Gulley's jumper and free throw gave the Bears a 29-27 halftime edge.
The Salukis opened the second half with a 9-2 run and took the lead, but the Bears tied it at 41 on a jumper by Thurman, then pulled ahead 54-51 on Ruder's back-to-back 3-pointers and led by seven with 40 seconds to play.
Desmar Jackson led the Salukis with 18, Tyler Smithpeters had 16, and Beane 11.
Game Information
Springfield, MO
Referee:Randy Heimerman
Referee:Jeff Campbell
Referee:John Moore
2025-26 Standings
| Missouri Valley ConferenceMissouri Valley Conference | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont | 16-4 | - | 26-6 |
| Bradley | 13-7 | 3 | 21-13 |
| Illinois State | 12-8 | 4 | 23-13 |
| Murray State | 12-8 | 4 | 20-13 |
| UIC | 12-8 | 4 | 19-16 |
| Northern Iowa | 11-9 | 5 | 23-13 |
| Valparaiso | 11-9 | 5 | 18-15 |
| Southern Illinois | 10-10 | 6 | 16-16 |
| Drake | 6-14 | 10 | 14-20 |
| Indiana State | 4-16 | 12 | 11-21 |
| Evansville | 3-17 | 13 | 7-25 |
| Conference USAConference USA | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | 17-3 | - | 26-8 |
| Sam Houston | 13-7 | 4 | 22-12 |
| Louisiana Tech | 11-9 | 6 | 20-14 |
| Western Kentucky | 11-9 | 6 | 18-14 |
| Middle Tennessee | 11-9 | 6 | 17-15 |
| Kennesaw State | 10-10 | 7 | 21-14 |
| Jacksonville State | 10-10 | 7 | 15-17 |
| New Mexico State | 8-12 | 9 | 16-16 |
| Missouri State | 8-12 | 9 | 16-18 |
| Florida International | 8-12 | 9 | 15-17 |
| UTEP | 7-13 | 10 | 11-20 |
| Delaware | 6-14 | 11 | 10-21 |




