SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State women’s basketball improved to 11-2 (2-0 MVC) on the season with a 74-62 victory against Valparaiso here Sunday afternoon at JQH Arena.
The win kept the Lady Bears’ Missouri Valley Conference win streak alive and extended it to 21 games, while head coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton earned her 60th career victory.
Both teams struggled offensively to start the game, but Missouri State broke through with an 8-0 run to end the opening quarter. The Lady Bears defense held the Beacons scoreless for the final 5:39 of the first period to lead 12-5 after one quarter of play.
Valparaiso answered back to tie the game at 16 with 4:40 remaining in the first half with the help of six points from Grace White and a couple of three-pointers. With the game tied at 18, the Lady Bears got aggressive driving to the basket and found their way to the free throw line.
Freshman Isabelle Delarue continued to stay hot, as she converted an and-1 opportunity before Paige Rocca and Sydney Wilson combined for six free throws. Delarue then hit a three-pointer with :01 left on the clock in the half to cap a 7-0 run as the Lady Bears carried a 30-21 lead into the break.
Valparaiso’s Shay Frederick opened the second half with a layup, but Missouri State responded quickly with a 9-0 run and then a 5-0 run following a Beacon field goal to extend the lead to a game-high 19 points in favor of the Lady Bears.
Graduate transfer Mariah White led Missouri State with eight points in the third quarter, shooting 50 percent from the field and converting 4-of-6 free throws.
In the final quarter, the Beacons found success from behind the arc, scoring 23 points in the period. However, sixth-year senior Brice Calip and the Lady Bears were able to put together their second 22-point quarter, 10 of which came courtesy of Calip, and secure the 74-62 victory.
Rocca earned her first career start and set a career high with 11 points and 29 minutes on the floor, while Wilson recorded her first double-double of the season with a 13-point and career high 13-rebound performance. Senior Abi Jackson also tallied a double-double with 10 points and a career-high 11 rebounds on the afternoon.
Missouri State had six Lady Bears score in double figures for the first time since March 5, 2020 against Valparaiso. On the defensive end, MSU had a rebounding margin of plus-20 (47-27) for the first time March 6, 2021 at Evansville.
The Lady Bears will be back at JQH Arena to close out their six-game home stand on Friday, Jan. 7 against Southern Illinois. First tip is set for 7 p.m.
