SIU women’s basketball had the longest win streak in the Missouri Valley Conference at six games, but it came to an end.

The Missouri State Bears (11-13, 8-5) defeated the Salukis (15-10, 8-6) 73-57 Friday at SIU Arena. 

“We had trouble getting shots to fall,” sophomore point guard Rishonda Napier said. “And we didn’t get the stops we needed.”

The Bears dominated the glass in the first half. Foul trouble limited junior center Dyana Pierre to 12 first-half minutes. The Bears took advantage, outrebounding SIU 22-15. 

Missouri State made 18-of-35 first-half field goals, including 5-of-9 behind the three-point line. 

Pierre led all players with 11 points in the first half. Junior guard Kenzie Williams led the Bears with 9.

Missouri State would lead by as many as 23 points in the second half before the Salukis used a zone press to cut the lead to 51-42 with 12:22 remaining.

Missouri State never let the Salukis get any closer.

Williams led Missouri State with 18 points and 8 rebounds. Pierre scored 17 and failed to record her seventh straight double-double, picking up 6 rebounds and 4 personal fouls.

Missouri State shot 46.7 percent to SIU’s 29 percent and outrebounded SIU 44 to 38.

Coach Cindy Stein said her team’s intensity was on display, but not its shooting touch.

“[I] loved our spirit, our effort in the second half,” Stein said. “But we just couldn’t buy a basket.”

The Salukis play Wichita State at 2:05 p.m. Sunday at SIU Arena.