SPRINGFIELD – Visiting Loyola hit two clutch 3-pointers in the final four minutes and turned a one-point game into a 71-62 victory over Missouri State here Sunday.
Missouri State got 21 points and 10 rebounds from Gaige Prim, while Lu’Cye Patterson added 14 points, and Isiaih Mosley scored 12.
The Bears (17-8, 8-4 MVC) trimmed a 10-point second-half deficit down to 57-56 on a three ball from Isaac Haney with 4:49 remaining to get the JQH Arena gathering of more than 6,000 on its feet. But Loyola responded with a 5-0 mini-run over the next minute with Aher Uguak and Lucas Williamson doing the damage.
Mosley answered with a quick bucket for the home side at the 3:22 mark to bring the Bears back within 62-58, but it would be MoState’s final field goal of the afternoon. Missouri State got four free throws from Mosley in the final two minutes, but missed its final three field goal attempts, while Loyola made four of its last six down the stretch to seal the win.
Chris Knight scored on a left-handed layup for the Ramblers (18-4, 9-2 MVC), and Tate Hall then pushed the visitors ahead by seven with an open 3-pointer with 1:43 to play.
Williamson led Loyola with 19 points, while Uguak scored 12 with eight rebounds, and Braden Norris registered 10 points and 4 assists. Hall paced LUC’s bench with 13 points behind three treys.
Loyola finished an efficient 26-for-49 (.531) from the field and 8-of-17 (.471) from bonus distance while making 11-of-13 (.846) free throws. The Ramblers also out-rebounded MSU by a 30-26 margin
Missouri State was 25-of-57 (.439) overall, but converted just 4-of-21 (.190) from long range, matching a season-low. The Bears capitalized on 8-of-11 free throws (.727) with just 9 turnovers and 36 points in the paint.
Prim’s five offensive boards helped MoState posted 13 second-chance points for the game.
In the first half, the Bears rode the hot hand of Prim to a 29-28 halftime advantage. Prim was 8-of-12 from the field in the first 20 minutes for 17 points, to help MSU overcome 20 Loyola points in the paint and seven lead changes.
MoState also racked up 11 second-chance points in the opening period behind 7 offensive boards.
After a Wednesday game at Drake (7 p.m.), the Bears return to JQH Arena next Saturday for a 3 p.m. matchup with Valparaiso.
