Streams of unconsciousness from the world of sports:

X@$#%! the Dome: The streak is over!

The Southern Illinois University football team broke the curse of the UNI-Dome on Saturday by defeating the Panthers, 27-20. It was a huge victory for the SIU football program in many ways.

First, it gives the Salukis the inside track for the Missouri Valley Football Conference title. Obviously, the Salukis can't stumble along the way, but beating UNI in the dome was clearly the most daunting hurdle standing between the Salukis and the title.

Second, the victory gives the Salukis a bit of a cushion.

It's difficult to advance to the postseason with three losses. There are several tough games remaining on the SIU schedule, most notably South Dakota State.

Selection Sunday is a lot less stressful with one or two, rather than three losses, on your résumé.

Third, it's the biggest road victory for the Salukis since the 35-28 win at Indiana in 2006.

End of an era: The Marion High School girls golf team finished third in the IHSA Class 2A state tournament this weekend.

For most programs, that would be quite an accomplishment. For Marion, the defending state champion, it was something of a letdown.

The tournament ended the prep careers of three of the most dominant athletes in Southern Illinois history, Cassie and Ashleigh Rushing and Campbell Hunt. The trio has formed the nucleus of a team that has put together an incredible run over the past four years.

I don't have the exact winning percentage, but in the past four years the Marion girls golf program has defeated well over 95 percent of its opponents.

Under the radar: While Marion was finishing third at Hickory Ridge, Massac County's girls team claimed the Class 1A title at Crab Orchard golf course.

Massac County's Tala Mumford won the individual title.

The team and individual win continued Massac County's excellent golf tradition, and it also kept a state championship in Southern Illinois.

Hare today, gone tomorrow: The SIU basketball program announced Sunday that sophomore guard Ryan Hare had been dismissed from the team.

Hare was suspended from the team indefinitely earlier this fall when he was charged with a pair of criminal offenses following an off-campus altercation. The Salukis officially severed ties with Hare on Sunday.

While damaging to the basketball team, the real concern lies with Hare's future.

He has squandered an excellent opportunity at SIU. One can only hope that Hare resolves these issues and finds success elsewhere, whether or not that includes basketball.

Lovable losers: Hey, at least the Rams kept their fans in suspense this week. They went to overtime before losing to Jacksonville.

How long does it take before the "Lovable loser" tag is applied to the franchise?

LES WINKELER is the sports editor for The Southern Illinoisan. Contact him at les.winkeler@thesouthern.com, or call 618-351-5088.