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SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State women’s basketball improved to 18-5 (9-3 MVC) on the season with a 66-57 victory over Northern Iowa (16-8, 9-4 MVC) here on Sunday afternoon at JQH Arena.
The Lady Bears came out and made a statement early as they looked to avenge their loss to the Panthers earlier this season. Abi Jackson hit two baskets to begin the game and help propel MSU to an early 5-0 lead.
After UNI made knocked down their first shot of the game at the 7:32 mark of the first period, Missouri State responded quickly with an 8-1 run to push the Lady Bears out in front by 10 points. Following made jumpers by both squads, UNI’s Karli Rucker hit a three-pointer with :02 remaining to cut the Lady Bear lead to 15-8 after a quarter.
The Panthers mimicked MSU’s first quarter run at the beginning of the second quarter, outscoring the Lady Bears 10-1 over the first three and a half minutes of the period. Following two Sydney Wilson free throws, the game was tied at 18-18 near the halfway point of the second quarter.
Both squads continued to swap runs, highlighted by a Mariah White five-point swing to give the Lady Bears a three-point lead. With three lead changes in the final minute, UNI’s Karli Rucker knocked down a jumper with :21 remaining to give the Panthers a 29-28 lead at the half.
White and Jackson led Missouri State with seven first-half points each, while senior Mya Bhinhar grabbed a game-high seven first-half rebounds.
Coming out of the half, UNI scored three consecutive points to extend their lead to four points, which would end up being their largest advantage of the game. Down by two points near the halfway point of the third quarter, MSU went on a 6-0 run featuring four points from Sydney Wilson to give the Lady Bears a three-point advantage.
UNI’s Kam Finley scored on three-straight Panther possessions to give the visitors a two-point lead, but Jackson answered for the Lady Bears back-to-back jumpers to tip the scale back in favor of the home team, 45-43, with a quarter to play.
Missouri State put the pressure on in a crucial fourth quarter on both ends of the court, outscoring the Panthers 21-14 in the final period.
A 7-0 Lady Bear run beginning at the 9:06 mark, which was highlighted by Wilson’s second three ball of the afternoon, gave Missouri State an 11-point lead. Following a UNI free throw, Bhinhar and White scored the next two buckets to put the Lady Bears ahead by a game-high 14-point margin.
The Panthers had one last run in them, as they cut the Lady Bear lead to seven points with a minute remaining, but MSU locked it down and secured the 66-57 victory.
Four Lady Bears turned in double-digit performances on Sunday afternoon, with Wilson leading the way with 18 points and four assists. Jackson recorded her 13th game in double figures this season with 16 points and two blocks, followed by White who dropped 11 points. Bhinhar had an impressive day all around, logging 10 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals.
The Lady Bears hit the road next week to take on Illinois State on Friday, Feb. 18. First tip is set for 6 p.m.
