The SMS Bears opened up their Missouri Valley Conference schedule with a 62-61 loss to Illinois St. in Normal, Illinois Thursday night. SMS trailed 34-27 after the first half, but battled back in the second. They tied the game at 36-36 early on in the second half, but the Cardinals responded with two straight baskets, regained the lead and never relinquished it again. SMS has followed up a six-game winning streak by losing the last two contests and have fallen to 6-3 overall and 0-1 in the Missouri Valley Conference.