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Southern Illinois beats Drake 63-57

Sports

February 28th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

CARBONDALE, Ill. (AP) – Anthony Beane had 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting to lead Southern Illinois to a 63-57 win over Drake on Saturday. Sean O’Brien had 14 points as the Salukis (11-20, 4-14 Missouri Valley) shot 52.1 percent from the field, and now claim the No. 9 seed in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament and will face No. 8 Missouri State.

Southern Illinois maintained a double-digit lead until Reed Timmer and Ore Arogundade hit back-to-back 3s to pull within eight with 2:43 left. The Salukis finished 3 of 4 from the free throw line in the final minute. Beane started the game off 4-of-4 shooting, which included three 3-pointers, to help the Salukis jump up to a 23-11 lead in the first half.

Timmer lead the Bulldogs (9-21, 6-12), who made 9 of 18 3-point attempts, with 25 points.