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(AP) -- Ben Simons returned from a five-game absence to score 14 points, leading Drake to a 78-63 victory over Southern Illinois on Wednesday night.

The Bulldogs (16-13, 9-8 Missouri Valley) had lost three of their last five games without Simons, the team's leading scorer, who was sidelined with mononucleosis.

Rayvonte Rice led Drake with 19 points.

Drake moved into a tie for third in the MVC standings with Missouri State, which lost to Indiana State on Wednesday.

However, the Bears hold the tiebreaker due to their season sweep of the Bulldogs.

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