(St. Louis, M0) – Leading into Christmas break we looked forward to two regional rivalry games. Mizzou and Illini playing in the annual ‘Bragging Rights’ game in St. Louis and the two Southern Illinois University’s matching up in Carbondale, Illinois. Below are the game stories from our friends and contributors Adam Young (SIU story) and Mike Reeves (Bragging Rights).
More importantly the Valley Hoops Insider family is praying for the family of Southern Illinois University Carbondale Head Coach Barry Hinson. Coach Hinson’s son-in-law unexpectedly died on Christmas Day. The official note from the SIU website reads
Southern Illinois University offers its deepest condolences to men’s basketball head coach Barry Hinson and his family. Hinson’s son-in-law, Niles Thomason, passed away suddenly on Christmas morning.
“Words cannot express the grief and sadness we are feeling upon hearing the news of Coach Hinson’s loss of a family member,” said SIU Athletic Director Mario Moccia. “As a University, we stand by Barry’s and Angie’s side to offer them our heartfelt support. We ask Saluki Nation to keep the Hinsons in their thoughts and prayers.” Thomason and Tiffany Hinson married in 2004, reside in Colorado and have one son, Carter.
Here are the game stories.
(Carbondale, IL) – The Southern Illinois Salukis (Missouri Valley Conference) built a 19 point halftime lead and cruised to a 74-57 win over in-state rival SIUE (Ohio Valley Conference) Monday night in Carbondale at SIUE Arena. The Cougars used a 25-8 run late in the game to cut the Salukis lead to 11 (68-57) before SIUC scored the game’s final six points to improve to 6-0 all-time against SIUE (2-10).
SIUC (4-8) won their second straight game while the Cougars lost their fourth straight. The Cougars, who finished up a three-game road swing, dropped to 0-6 on the road.
7,057 fans showed up at SIU Arena for the big rivalry game between the two sister schools. SIUC put on an impressive show for the home fans with an array of dunks and fast break points, many of which came off of assists. SIUC collected 16 teams assists. Their season average coming into the game was nine, which ranked them 340 out of 351 NCAA Division I teams.
Both SIUE and SIUC finish up non-conference play on Sunday. The Cougars take on non-D1 Robert Morris at home while the Salukis travel to Miami (OH).
Adam Young
(St. Louis, MO) – Bragging Rights for 2013 belong to the Illinois Fighting Illini after a 65-64 win over the Missouri Tigers at Scottrade Center in St. Louis. The Illinois win snaps the Tigers four game winning streak in the yearly showdown. The win improves the Illini’s record to 10-2 while the 23rd ranked Tigers lose for the first time this year. They are now 10-1.
This one was a physical game from the start with Missouri getting off to a fast start scoring the game’s first eight points and racing to a quick 15-6 lead but Illinois would regroup and head to the locker room at the half with a 31-27 lead.
The second half would see both teams go on runs but neither could gain much separation and the game came down to the final 14.9 seconds. The Tiger Jabari Brown would drain a three point shot with 14.9 seconds left to give the Tigers a 64-63 lead but following a timeout the Illini’s Tracy Abrams would be fouled with 4.6 seconds left and would drain a pair of free throws to put Illinois up 65-64. A desperation three point attempt by Mizzou’s Tony Criswell comes up short and Illinois holds on for the one point win.
The Tigers were led in scoring by Jordan Clarkson who pours in a game high 25 points. Earnest Ross would add 13 points and Brown scores 10 for Missouri. Abrams leads the Illini with 22 points while Rayvonte Rice scores 14.
Missouri will next be in action on December 28th when they play their first true road game of the season at North Carolina State. They will also play Long Beach State at home on January 4th before opening SEC conference play on January 8th at home against Georgia.
Mike Reeves
(Note: One more MVC/OVC regional rivalry game is coming up. Sunday afternoon the Bears of Missouri State (MVC) host long time rival Southeast Missouri (OVC). This rivalry goes back at least to the 70’s when the two were not yet universities and were not yet Division 1 schools. Southwest Missouri State College and Southeast Missouri State College were both part of the old MIAA conference that included the directional Missouri colleges and a couple from the University of Missouri system. Great basketball battles were waged at Central Missouri, Northeast Missouri (now Truman State), Lincoln, Northwest Missouri, Missouri Western and Missouri-Rolla (now S&T). Game time is 2:05 p.m.
Do Good
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.@SEMOMBB wins at home and is 2-0, tied with @MSUEaglesMBB atop the @OVCSports. Our prayers are with the @LRTrojans after the death of one of their managers Josh Claxton. Their game with EIU was postponed today.
Good officiating in the @SEMOMBB/@SIUEMBB in a little late game dust up.
BTW, @LindenwoodWBB is 2-0. @CoachAmyEagan has that program headed the right direction.
With @SkyhawkHoops winning on the road and @LUMensBball winning at home, right now, 5 @OVCSports teams are 1-1.
