Sean O'Brien had 14 points as the Salukis (11-20, 4-14 Missouri Valley) shot 52.1 percent from the field, and now claim the No. 9 seed in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament and will face No. 8 Missouri State.
Southern Illinois maintained a double-digit lead until Reed Timmer and Ore Arogundade hit back-to-back 3s to pull within eight with 2:43 left. The Salukis finished 3 of 4 from the free throw line in the final minute.
Beane started the game off 4-of-4 shooting, which included three 3-pointers, to help the Salukis jump up to a 23-11 lead in the first half.
Timmer lead the Bulldogs (9-21, 6-12), who made 9 of 18 3-point attempts, with 25 points.
