ANAHEIM, Calif., Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Randal Falker had 23 points and five rebounds Friday as No. 18 Southern Illinois beat Mississippi State 63-49 in the second round of the Anaheim Classic.
SIU used its usual stingy defense to grab a 32-28 halftime lead, and then seized control by scoring the second half's first six points before the Bulldogs made a basket.
Joshua Bone scored 15 points on 5-of-6 three-point shooting, and Matt Shaw had 11 points and five rebounds for the unbeaten Salukis, who improved to 3-0 and will play either Miami-Ohio or Southern California in Saturday's title game.
Mississippi State was led by Jamont Gordon's 20 points and four rebounds. He was the only player in double figures for the Bulldogs (3-2), who had won their previous two games.
