Southern Illinois Salukis @ Missouri State Bears
Ruffridge helps No. 24 Missouri State get revenge 88-57
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Elle Ruffridge came off the bench to score 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting, including four 3-pointers, and No. 24 Missouri State got revenge for its only Missouri Valley Conference loss with an 88-57 romp past Southern Illinois on Saturday.
Alexa Willard added 13 points and Jasmine Franklin earned her ninth double-double with 10 points and a career-high-matching 14 rebounds for the Bears (21-3, 11-1).
Missouri State has won seven straight since a 70-68 loss at Southern Illinois on Jan. 17. Gabby Walker scored with 1.3 seconds left for the upset when Missouri State went 1 of 11 from 3-point range.
The Bears were 9 of 15 with three triples, racing to a 26-15 lead after one quarter of the rematch and led 50-29 at the half, thanks to 62% shooting. It got worse in the third quarter when the Bears missed their first two shots and made their last nine, all three of their 3s.
Missouri State finished 8 of 16 on 3s despite going 0 for 3 in the fourth quarter and shot 57% even after a 4-for-14 fourth quarter.
Missouri State has 11 straight home wins, tying the JQH Arena record from 2011-12.
Nicole Martin scored 14 points for the Salukis (13-10, 5-7), who shot 35%. Makenzie Silvey, who averages 16.4 points and has 50 3s was 0 for 6 from distance and had six points.
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Game Information
Springfield, MO
Referee:Greg Small
Referee:Doug Knight
Referee:Blanca Burns
2025-26 Standings
| Missouri Valley ConferenceMissouri Valley Conference | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murray State | 17-1 | - | 26-3 |
| Belmont | 13-4 | 3.5 | 17-11 |
| Bradley | 12-6 | 5 | 19-10 |
| Illinois State | 12-6 | 5 | 18-11 |
| Northern Iowa | 11-7 | 6 | 15-13 |
| UIC | 9-9 | 8 | 14-15 |
| Drake | 9-9 | 8 | 10-18 |
| Southern Illinois | 6-12 | 11 | 9-18 |
| Evansville | 5-13 | 12 | 7-22 |
| Indiana State | 5-14 | 12.5 | 9-20 |
| Valparaiso | 0-18 | 17 | 0-29 |
| Conference USAConference USA | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Tech | 15-1 | - | 22-5 |
| Florida International | 10-6 | 5 | 17-10 |
| Missouri State | 10-6 | 5 | 18-11 |
| Middle Tennessee | 10-6 | 5 | 15-13 |
| Liberty | 10-7 | 5.5 | 16-12 |
| Sam Houston | 9-7 | 6 | 16-11 |
| Jacksonville State | 8-9 | 7.5 | 14-15 |
| Kennesaw State | 6-11 | 9.5 | 13-15 |
| Delaware | 6-11 | 9.5 | 12-17 |
| UTEP | 5-11 | 10 | 13-14 |
| New Mexico State | 5-11 | 10 | 9-19 |
| Western Kentucky | 4-12 | 11 | 8-19 |
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