MOLINE, Ill. – For three quarters Friday afternoon, it seemed as if Indiana State could do no wrong. Then the Sycamores' grip on the game slowly began to slip away.
Indiana State (11-19) was stunned as a 16-point fourth quarter lead evaporated in a heartbreaking 69-67 loss to Southern Illinois (17-13) in the quarterfinals of the 2018 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.
There was almost elation with a chance for last-second heroics. Southern Illinois, leading by only one, missed three of four free throws in the final 14 seconds. The Sycamores had a chance to win or tie the game in the final moments.