SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Missouri State’s women’s basketball team improved to 4-1 on the season after handing the No. 24 Virginia Tech Hokies (5-1) their first loss of the season, 76-68.
The victory marked the second consecutive win over a Power Five opponent for the Lady Bears and was the first over a ranked opponent this season.
Missouri State came out aggressive from the first tip in a physical game against the Hokies.
Senior Abi Jackson, who notched her first career start as a Lady Bear, provided an early spark for Missouri State after a sequence where she blocked a shot, grabbed the rebound and converted the jumper on the other end just two minutes into the game.
The Lady Bears were hot offensively to start the game, especially from behind that arc, as they drained three of their four first-half three-point baskets in the first quarter. Known for its defensive prowess, Missouri State held Virginia Tech scoreless over the final 2:02 of the opening quarter.
Virginia Tech, which ranks second nationally in three-point field goal percentage, was held scoreless from long range in the first 10 minutes by a Missouri State defense that ranks second in the country in three-point defense.
However, the Hokies would punch back in the second quarter. Virginia Tech shot 75 percent from behind the three-point line and went on a 9-0 run to cut the Lady Bear lead to 28-23. Senior Jasmine Franklin was able to turn the momentum back in favor of Missouri State with a big charge and ensuing basket on the other end with three minutes to go before the half.
Franklin led all scorers at the half with eight points and the Lady Bears went into the locker room with a 36-26 lead after the first 20 minutes.
MSU was able to take a game-high 17-point lead in the third quarter before the Hokies went on a 13-4 run to close the gap to eight points with just under five minutes to go in the game. With under 30 seconds remaining, Virginia Tech made two three-point baskets and converted a three-point foul opportunity at the free throw line. However, the Hokies were forced to foul the Lady Bears late and MSU took advantage.
Franklin converted 6-of-6 free throws with under a minute left in the game and Sydney Wilson converted two free throws as time continued to wind down.
Jackson set a career high with 18 points on the afternoon along with eight rebounds. Franklin led MSU with 21 points and recorded 12 rebounds, which marks her eighth-straight game with 10 or more rebounds dating back to last season. Franklin also notched her fourth double-double in five games to begin the season.
Wilson logged a season-high 16 points and went a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line. As a team, the Lady Bears shot 90 percent (27-for-30) from the charity stripe, while the Hokies were held to just eight free throws on 15 attempts.
Missouri State will be back on the court tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 27, to close out its stint at the San Juan Shootout. The Lady Bears will take on LSU with first tip set for 11:15 a.m. CT.
