I arrived at Scottrade Center incredibly late because of the awfully slow MetroLink that I rode from the airport (near my hotel) to the arena. I sprinted to the press entrance to swipe my credential from the stack before heading onto the floor to find my designated spot about two minutes until tipoff. Phew!
Our men’s basketball team played their hardest tonight, and it showed in the final score. It is great that my stay in St. Louis isn’t short-lived like last year’s MVC Tournament, but the win meant my spring break has been cut a day short!
I am looking forward to tomorrow’s 6 p.m. game against Wichita State and hope to capture more emotion than in this game.
Steph Anderson | The Standard
SIU’s Desmar Jackson stretches before the MVC play-in game on Thursday, March 7, 2013 at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.
Missouri State’s Nathan Scheer looks for a turnover call during the MVC play-in game between Missouri State and Southern Illinois on Thursday, March 7, 2013 at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.
SIU’s Jeff Early reacts after making a basket while fouled during the MVC play-in game between Missouri State and Southern Illinois on Thursday, March 7, 2013 at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.
Missouri State’s Gavin Thurman has the ball stripped by SIU’s Desmar Jackson during the MVC play-in game between Missouri State and Southern Illinois on Thursday, March 7, 2013 at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.
Missouri State’s Tomie Aromona goes up for a shot against SIU’s Jeff Early during the MVC play-in game between Missouri State and Southern Illinois on Thursday, March 7, 2013 at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.
Missouri State’s Anthony Downing goes up for a shot past SIU’s Davante Drinkard during the MVC play-in game between Missouri State and Southern Illinois on Thursday, March 7, 2013 at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.
Missouri State’s Tomie Aromona knocks the ball loose from SIU’s Colby Long during the MVC play-in game between Missouri State and Southern Illinois on Thursday, March 7, 2013 at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.
An SIU fan waves a cardboard cutout during the MVC play-in game between Missouri State and Southern Illinois on Thursday, March 7, 2013 at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.
SIU’s Dantiel Daniels reacts after being fouled during the MVC play-in game between Missouri State and Southern Illinois on Thursday, March 7, 2013 at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.
Missouri State’s Marcus Marshall loses control of the ball during the MVC play-in game between Missouri State and Southern Illinois on Thursday, March 7, 2013 at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.
Missouri State’s Christian Kirk loses control of the ball against SIU’s Jeff Early during the MVC play-in game between Missouri State and Southern Illinois on Thursday, March 7, 2013 at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.
SIU’s Jeff Early reacts after he received his third foul against Missouri State during the MVC play-in game between Missouri State and Southern Illinois on Thursday, March 7, 2013 at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.
Missouri State’s Anthony Downing battles SIU’s Anthony Beane for a loose ball during the MVC play-in game between Missouri State and Southern Illinois on Thursday, March 7, 2013 at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.
Missouri State’s Anthony Downing is helped up by Nathan Scheer, left, and Keith Pickens during the MVC play-in game between Missouri State and Southern Illinois on Thursday, March 7, 2013 at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.
Missouri State’s Dorrian Williams and the bench react to a three-pointer during the MVC play-in game between Missouri State and Southern Illinois on Thursday, March 7, 2013 at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.
Missouri State’s Marcus Marshall reacts with Christian Kirk after increasing their lead during the MVC play-in game between Missouri State and Southern Illinois on Thursday, March 7, 2013 at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.
Missouri State’s Marcus Marshall attempts a foul shot during the MVC play-in game between Missouri State and Southern Illinois on Thursday, March 7, 2013 at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.
Missouri State’s Marcus Marshall tries to knock the ball away from SIU’s Kendal Brown-Surles during the MVC play-in game between Missouri State and Southern Illinois on Thursday, March 7, 2013 at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.
Fans wave cardboard cutouts during a free throw during the MVC play-in game between Missouri State and Southern Illinois on Thursday, March 7, 2013 at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.
SIU’s Diamond Taylor, back, and Colby Long react after their loss during the MVC play-in game between Missouri State and Southern Illinois on Thursday, March 7, 2013 at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.
Missouri State’s Anthony Downing is greeted by coach Paul Lusk as time expires in the Bears 61-53 win against Southern Illinois during the MVC play-in game on Thursday, March 7, 2013 at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.
