Pippen with 23, Southern Illinois beats Missouri State 75-70
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Kavion Pippen scored 23 points and grabbed seven rebounds as Southern Illinois beat Missouri State 75-70 in a Missouri Valley Conference opener on Wednesday night.
Pippen was 9 of 12 from the field for the Salukis (8-6). Aaron Cook added 15 points, five rebounds and seven assists, Eric McGill had 14 points on four 3-pointers with 12 rebounds and Sean Lloyd Jr. scored 11 points.
McGill capped a 12-4 start with a 3-pointer and the Salukis were on top all the way in the first half as they maintained their lead for a 39-31 advantage at the break.
Missouri State closed to tie it 46-all early in the second half but Lloyd and Darius Beane answered with 3-pointers to give Southern Illinois breathing room, 52-48, with 12:40 to play. The Salukis held the lead after that with a 3-pointer and five free throws by Cook in the stretch helping to keep them on top.
Ryan Kreklow and Keandre Cook scored 15 points apiece to lead the Bears (6-8).
Game Information
- Referees:
- Jeb Hartness
- Jeff Malham
- Tyler Kumpf
2023-24 Missouri Valley Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Indiana State | 17-3 | - | 32-7 |
Drake | 16-4 | 1 | 28-7 |
Bradley | 13-7 | 4 | 23-12 |
Belmont | 12-8 | 5 | 20-13 |
Northern Iowa | 12-8 | 5 | 19-14 |
Southern Illinois | 11-9 | 6 | 19-13 |
Illinois State | 9-11 | 8 | 15-17 |
Murray State | 9-11 | 8 | 12-20 |
Missouri State | 8-12 | 9 | 17-16 |
Evansville | 6-14 | 11 | 17-18 |
UIC | 4-16 | 13 | 12-21 |
Valparaiso | 3-17 | 14 | 7-25 |