This story will be updated
The Missouri State Lady Bears will enter a must-win game at JQH Arena on Sunday if they want to continue their reign atop the Missouri Valley Conference at season's end.
Missouri State (15-5, 6-3) lost 65-49 to first-place Southern Illinois (12-6, 7-1) on Friday night in Carbondale.
The Lady Bears now have three losses in the Valley this season when they had lost two combined in the previous two seasons under third-year head coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton. They have been heavily impacted by injuries this season to All-Valley performers Jasmine Franklin and Abby Hipp — who are both out for the season due to ACL tears.