MOLINE, Ill. (AP) — Brice Calip scored 12 of her 17 points in the first half, and Abby Hipp added 11 points as No. 21 Missouri State beat Southern Illinois 70-59 on Friday in the quarterfinals of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.
The Lady Bears (21-2) are the No. 1 seed in the MVC tourney for the 12th time — after going undefeated in league play for the first time in program history.
Elle Ruffridge chipped in with 10 points and Jasmine Franklin, the defensive player of the year, had seven points and three steals for Missouri State, which plays in the semifinals on Saturday. The Lady Bears held a 32-21 rebounding advantage and 38-24 for points in the paint.
Missouri State closed the third quarter on a 9-0 run, making 8-of-10 shots in the period, to lead 50-40. The Lady Bears were 7 of 10 in the fourth to finish at 48.1% after struggling in the first half to build a 28-25 lead.
Abby Brockmeyer led Southern Illinois (9-16) with 18 points and Gabby Walker added 15 before fouling out. Makenzie Silvey scored 10.
The Salukis lost to Missouri State three times this year — 61-44 on Jan. 27 and 67-55 on Feb. 24 — after handing them one of just two conference losses last season.
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