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 OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - After enduring consecutive heartbreaking losses in the first round of the NCAA tournament, seniors Stetson Hairston and Darren Brooks weren't going to let it happen again to Southern Illinois.
Hairston broke a late tie with three free throws, then followed with a 3-pointer and Brooks drove for the next two baskets, giving the Salukis the push they needed to get past Saint Mary's 65-56 Friday in the Chicago Regional.
Southern Illinois (27-7) advanced for the first time since 2002, when Hairston and Brooks were freshmen on a club that made the regional semifinals. The Salukis were knocked out by one point in the opening round the last two years, missing shots at the buzzer both times.
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