By: Sammy Stava @StavaOnSTL The first two meetings between No. 2 seeded Southern Illinois and No. 7 seeded Missouri State were decided by a combined three points. The Salukis won them both, 79-77 on January 27th and 81-80 in overtime on February 14th , and they’ve also won seven consecutive games against the Bears. Missouri…

By: Sammy Stava @StavaOnSTL For the first time since the 2009-2010 season, No. 5 seeded Bradley earned a first-round bye to the MVC Tournament Quarterfinals. The Braves relished that opportunity and played like a top-five seeded team, especially in the second half. Down 35-27 at halftime, Bradley got exactly what they needed, a 12-0 run…

By: Sammy Stava @StavaOnSTL At halftime of the first game of MVC Quarterfinal Friday, Clayton Custer, the MVC Larry Bird Player of the Year and No. 1 seed Loyola’s leading scorer was held scoreless at the half. That may have been worrisome for the Ramblers, but Porter Moser’s team still led 25-21 at the break…

By: Sammy Stava @StavaOnSTL In the Thursday prime-time tilt between No. 7 Missouri State and No. 10 Valparaiso, something had to give. Missouri State senior and NBA prospect Alize Johnson’s college days are almost coming to a close, and the Valparaiso Crusaders were making their MVC Tournament debut. It has been a disappointing season to…

By: Sammy Stava @StavaOnSTL Northern Iowa head coach Ben Jacobson was in unfamiliar territory Thursday night in St. Louis at the Scottrade Center. For the first time in his 12-year career at UNI, his Panthers team was playing in the first round at the MVC Tournament. Though playing under that scenario didn’t seem to rattle…