Indiana State Advances in MVC Tournament with 81-69 Victory Over Southern Illinois
CORALVILLE, Iowa – Indiana State defeated Southern Illinois 81-69 in the first round of the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Tournament on Thursday, March 13, 2026. The Sycamores were led by Tierney Kelsey, who scored 24 points, and advanced to the quarterfinals of the tournament.
Game Highlights
Indiana State established control early, with Kelsey, Amerie Flowers, and Kennedy Claybrooks combining for 20 points in the first quarter. The Sycamores led by two points after the first 10 minutes. A strong defensive performance in the second quarter, limiting Southern Illinois to just six points, extended Indiana State’s lead to 38-29 at halftime.
Southern Illinois attempted a comeback in the third quarter, narrowing the gap to three points, but Indiana State maintained its lead. A decisive 13-2 run in the fourth quarter sealed the victory for the Sycamores.
Key Performances
- Tierney Kelsey: 24 points
- Kennedy Claybrooks: 18 points, 8 rebounds
- Amerie Flowers: 14 points, 14 rebounds (her third double-double of the season)
Statistical Summary
Indiana State dominated in several key statistical categories:
- Points off turnovers: 10-8
- Points in the paint: 44-24
- Second chance points: 15-8
- Fastbreak points: 13-6
- Bench points: 16-11
The Sycamores led for over 33 minutes of the game, including the entire second half. Indiana State shot 23-for-33 from the free-throw line, while Southern Illinois struggled from the field, shooting 28-for-71 (39.4%) overall and 2-for-13 (15.4%) from three-point range.
Coach and Player Notes
- Indiana State head coach Marc Mitchell secured his first conference tournament win with the Sycamores.
- This win marked Indiana State’s first conference tournament victory since 2024, and their last two tournament wins have been against Southern Illinois.
- The Sycamores have achieved double-digit wins for the fourth time in the last five seasons.
- Amerie Flowers’ 14 rebounds were her most since the season opener.
- Kennedy Claybrooks had a game-high plus-16 rating and went 9-for-10 from the free-throw line.
- Southern Illinois’ six points in the second quarter were the fewest allowed by Indiana State in a quarter this season.
Up Next
Indiana State will face Murray State in the quarterfinals of the MVC Tournament on Friday, March 13, 2026, at 1 p.m.
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