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Missouri State was competitive with the first-place Salukis for a half, but it couldn't hang in the final 20 minutes.
Southern Illinois pulled away for a 73-53 win over Missouri State (12-12, 8-6) on Sunday afternoon in Carbondale, Illinois.
The loss dropped Missouri State to two games behind the four teams tied for the Missouri Valley Conference lead. With Indiana State as the lone team with a 9-5 conference record, the Bears are now in a three-way tie for sixth place.
The top four teams earn an automatic bye to the Arch Madness quarterfinals under the new conference tournament format.