https://twitter.com/MSULadyBears/status/1360747539285221401
NORMAL, Ill. – Brice Calip hit a driving layup with 1.4 seconds left Saturday afternoon at Redbird Arena for a 73-72 Missouri State victory, helping the 23rd-ranked Lady Bears rally to win from a 16-point deficit for the second time this season.
Calip, who just 13 days ago hit three free throws with 0.8 seconds on the clock for a one-point win at Valparaiso, was the hero again, taking the in-bounds pass just inside half court and driving straight to the bucket for an off-balance shot that found the bottom of the net despite the foul.
The senior finished with 11 points while matching a career-high with eight assists as Missouri State improved to 13-2 overall and 9-0 in Missouri Valley Conference play with its ninth consecutive win both on the road and overall.
The Redbirds (10-6, 7-6) had early runs of 13-0 and 12-0 and made 14 of their first 19 shots to lead 33-17 with 6:21 until halftime, and Missouri State whittled the deficit to 40-29 at intermission and 46-43 with 4:38 left in the third quarter on Jasmine Franklin’s 3-point play.
Elle Ruffridge tied the game at 59-all with 6:40 remaining on her third 3-pointer of the contest, and Sydney Manning gave MSU its first lead since the opening minute 46 seconds later.
The Lady Bears led 64-61 on a Calip free throw with 3:56 left, but the Redbirds hit a pair of treys in the next three minutes on the way to a 70-66 advantage. Manning buried a 3-pointer with 23.4 left and Sydney Wilson stole the ensuing in-bounds pass and scored for a 71-70 lead. Illinois State’s JuJu Redmond put the Redbirds ahead 72-71 with 4.4 ticks remaining to set up Calip’s heroics.
Missouri State shot 43 percent in the game after an 11-for-17 shooting performance in the fourth quarter and won 35-32 on the glass. Franklin led the scoring with 15 points, Ruffridge scored 13 and Abby Hipp added 12. Franklin added seven rebounds and three steals.
The Lady Bears are back home Feb. 19 and 20 to host Bradley in a pair of 7 p.m. games.
