The Salukis came into Saturday night's game 0-5 on the road while Indiana St. was a perfect 7-0 at home. After 2 overtimes in Terre Haute, both trends continued.
Southern controlled the pace for most of regulation and got a boost from Tyrone Green who scored a career high 14 points in the first 40 minutes of play. Green was a bright spot for SIU in the loss - driving to the basket, getting easy shots, and performing at the foul line, hitting all 4 free throws he attempted.
The Salukis had a chance to win on the final possession of regulation. Bryan Mullins drove the lane but the defense collapsed, the passing lanes closed, and Mullins misfired on a tough shot at the buzzer.
Mullins came right back in the first OT with a 3 ball, and Matt Shaw's lay-in made it a 52-47 lead on the next possession. Unfortunately for the Salukis they did not score again during the first OT.
Indiana State was able force a second overtime when Sophomore Marico Stinson nailed a 3 to tie the game at 52 all.
In the second overtime Stinson continued to make his mark. After a cold start, Stinson was in the zone when it mattered, hitting a clutch 3 to put the Sycamores ahead 59-57.
With 35 seconds remaining Southern got the ball down by 2. Mullins came through with a wide open 3 to put the Salukis on top, but not for long.
Marico Stinson put the finishing touches on his 20 point performance with a game winning 3 ball for Indiana State. It was yet another heartbreaker in a season filled with tough losses for the Salukis.
The Sycamores passed a huge test in the effort to contend for an MVC title, while Southern will go back to the drawing board and continue to look for their first road win of the season Tuesday night in Evansville.
