Missouri State used a 15-3 run to overcome a late four-point deficit and forced nine fourth-quarter turnovers to earn a 66-60 win in the Lady Bears’ first ever trip to Missouri Valley Conference newcomer Valparaiso.
The game featured eight ties and 12 lead changes, and the Crusaders (11-14, 4-10) led 49-45 early in the fourth quarter before the Lady Bears (16-10, 12-3) went on the deciding run. Liza Fruendt‘s fourth 3-pointer of the game gave MSU the lead for good at 50-49 with 6:45 remaining, and Aubrey Buckley‘s layup capped a 9-0 run 46 seconds later at 54-49.
Missouri State swiped six steals in the final period, and answered a Valpo 3-pointer with a 6-0 run that included four Danielle Gitzen free throws to lead 60-52 with 3:28 left. Gitzen went 9-for-12 at the charity stripe in the game and 6-for-8 in the final quarter.
Valpo sliced MSU’s lead to 60-58 with 1:44 left, and Buckley’s offensive board and bucket capped a long possession with a 62-58 lead and 44.8 on the clock. The Crusaders scored again for 62-60, and the Lady Bears closed with four free throws in the final 31 seconds to seal the win.
The Lady Bears scored on their first three possessions for an early 7-2 lead, but failed to score over the next three-plus minutes while the Crusaders rattled off an 8-0 run. The lead changed hands seven times over the next eight minutes before MSU used a 6-0 run for a 25-20 advantage with 5:54 until halftime.
Valpo battled back for a 32-all tie at the break, and Alexa Willard scored on Missouri State’s first possession of the second half before Fruendt buried consecutive 3-pointers for a 40-32 lead just two minutes into the period.
The Crusaders again climbed back on top at 45-43, it was tied at 45-45 entering the final quarter, and the Crusaders scored twice in the first 61 seconds of the fourth to lead 49-45.
Fruendt finished with 17 points and was joined in double figures by Gitzen and Willard with 11 apiece. Emily Gartner added nine points, eight rebounds and three blocks, and Brice Calip dished out five assists without a turnover.
Missouri State finished plus-nine in turnover margin to overcome 34 percent shooting and an eight-rebound deficit.
Missouri State plays its final three regular season games at JQH Arena, beginning with a 7 p.m. Friday date with Southern Illinois (14-12, 9-6). A $4 ticket special is available for that contest in non-assessed sections.
