Salukis Stun MoState in Thrilling Overtime Showdown!

CARBONDALE, Ill. — The visiting Missouri State surged back from a 13-point deficit in the second half – and a 10-point gap with 3:50 remaining – to push the game into overtime here Saturday, yet the home team Southern Illinois pulled ahead in the final two minutes for an 88-78 triumph. 

Jarrett Hensley netted a game-high 30 points for SIU (6-10, 1-5 MVC), while Drew Steffe contributed 16.

The Bears (7-10, 0-6) received 24 points from Vincent Brady II and a personal-best 23 from freshman Zaxton King, 17 of which were scored in the latter half.

MoState shot 60 percent in the second half, aiding their comeback, while King spearheaded a 15-5 MSU run late in the game with one three-pointer and two crucial baskets before Chase Martin sunk a three-pointer from the left corner with 27 seconds remaining in regulation, tying the game at 72-72.

The Bears held the Salukis in check during the last possession of regulation as Martin stepped up and drew a charge on an SIU attempt to drive to the basket with less than a second remaining. The Bears’ last-second heave from beyond half court was off target, sending Cuonzo Martin‘s team into overtime for the third time in this season.

In overtime, the Bears were down by four before Brady put the visitors on the scoreboard with a free throw and a game-tying three-pointer with 1:51 left in extra time, making it 76-76.

Hensley and Steffe responded for the Salukis with consecutive three-pointers, the latter taking place with 48 seconds remaining. Brady brought it back to a four-point game with two successful free throws at the 40-second mark, making it 82-78, but SIU finished strong, scoring the last six points of the game. 

The Bears only connected on 1-of-5 from the field in overtime, but secured the extra period with a 15-of-25 (.600) shooting performance in the second half. Over the full game, MoState was 25-of-59 (.425) from the field, 11-of-29 (.379) from three-point range, and 17-for-25 (.680) at the foul line, accumulating 37 rebounds and 15 assists.

The Salukis concluded 31-of-65 (.477) overall, hitting 7-for-19 (.368) from beyond the arc and 19-of-27 (.704) at the line with a slim, 38-37 rebounding advantage. 

After six early lead shifts, SIU executed a 17-4 run over a critical five-minute span in the first half, stretching their lead to as much as twelve points. Dez White’s three-pointer at the eight-minute mark ignited a 12-2 Missouri State response, bringing the visitors within 27-25 before the Salukis finished the half on an 8-2 run to lead 35-27 at the break. SIU tallied 18 points in the paint and 13 points off 10 turnovers by MoState in the first half.

The Bears and Salukis will continue their home-and-home series on Wednesday at Great Southern Bank Arena in a regionally-televised rematch at 6 p.m.

Tickets for the SIU home game can be acquired at MissouriStateBears.com/tickets or through the Missouri State box office at Great Southern Bank Arena, (417) 836-7678, during standard box office hours. 

#GoBears