O'Brien, Rodriguez spark S. Illinois to 85-84 overtime win (Jan 28, 2017)

By AP
Published

CARBONDALE, Ill. (AP) Sean O'Brien scored five of his 24 points in overtime, Mike Rodriguez scored the winning free throw with three seconds left and Southern Illinois survived a half-court 3-pointer to edge Missouri State 85-84 in OT on Saturday night.

O'Brien grabbed four of his nine rebounds in OT, and also had a steal. He finished 11 of 13 from the floor, and also dished six assists for the Salukis (12-11, 5-5 Missouri Valley Conference), who halted a three-game skid.

Sean Lloyd scored 15 points, Thik Bol 14 and Rodriguez 12 for Southern Illinois. Armon Fletcher added 10 points with 11 rebounds, his first double-double.

After Rodriguez put Southern Illinois up 84-79 with six seconds left in overtime, Missouri State's Alize Johnson hit a pair of free throws and canned a 3-pointer from half-court with .5 seconds left to finish with 26 points. Dequon Miller added 15 for the Bears (14-9, 5-5) and Jarred Dixon 14.