The SMS Bears lost to Southern Illinois 64-55 in the semifinals of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis yesterday. The Bears led 27-25 at the half but couldn’t keep up with the top-seeded Salukis in the second half. Terrance McGee was the only SMS player in double figures, scoring 21 points. Jermaine Dearman had 17 for the Salukis. The loss dropped SMS to 17-12 on the season, leaving them with the NIT as their only post-season possibility.
