Cook late FTs lift S. Illinois over Missouri St. 81-80, OT

Feb 15, 2018, 05:08 am

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Aaron Cook sank two free throws with four seconds remaining in overtime, Armon Fletcher scored 22 points and Southern Illinois turned back Missouri State 81-80 Wednesday night, running its record to 7-1 over the last eight games.

Southern Illinois (18-10, 10-5 Missouri Valley Conference) trailed throughout the overtime until Fletcher swiped the ball and scored a layup with 34 seconds left for a 79-78 lead.

Jarred Dixon, whose layup with 50 seconds left forced overtime at 70-70, followed with another late drive that gave Missouri State (17-11, 7-8) an 80-79 lead with nine seconds left in OT.

After Cook made the winning free throws, Dixon missed a final shot and Obediah Church put the ball up and in, but the apparent basket was waved off after review as coming after time had expired.

Sean Lloyd added 21 points with five rebounds and four assists for the Salukis, and Kavion Pippen scored 13.

Jarrid Rhodes led Missouri State with 21 points and five 3-pointers, Alize Johnson scored 15 and corralled 16 rebounds for his 18th double-double.

There were nine ties and 16 lead changes in the contest. Southern Illinois remains second in the MVC while the Bears slipped from a chance to tie for fourth.