TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Missouri State women’s basketball secured the victory in its Missouri Valley Conference opener, defeating Indiana State on the road, 71-62.
The Lady Bears (6-4, 1-0 MVC) pulled away from the Sycamores (5-5, 0-1 MVC) in a hard-fought second half, using an important run in the third quarter to get the separation they ultimately needed.
After leading by just a point at halftime, the Lady Bears surrendered the lead at the halfway point of the third period, with Indiana State taking their largest lead of the game at three points. However, Missouri State answered in a big way, going on a 9-0 run, with all nine points coming via Sydney Wilson and Isabelle Delarue. The run put MSU back in front by six and the Lady Bears never surrendered the lead again. Free throws were also a difference-maker in the third, as MSU made 11 free throws compared to Indiana State’s four makes from the charity stripe.
Holding on to a six-point lead with 10 minutes remaining at the Hulman Center in Terre Haute, the Lady Bears extended their lead to nine early in the fourth with a Delarue trey and Kennedy Taylor layup. As Missouri State maintained the lead, the Sycamores were eventually forced to foul and the Lady Bears delivered, connecting on eight free throw attempts in the final 1:24 to secure the 71-62 conference road win.
Missouri State jumped out to a quick start on the road, with Indya Green knocking down back-to-back baskets to get things rolling for the Lady Bears in the Missouri Valley Conference opener. After Indiana State’s first basket of the day, MSU reeled off three straight buckets, including back-to-back triples courtesy of Aniya Thomas and Paige Rocca, to give the Lady Bears a 10-point lead at the halfway mark of the first quarter.
Despite MSU holding a 16-7 lead at the end of the first, Indiana State wasn’t going down without a fight and responded with a strong second quarter, especially from the free throw line. The two squads were evenly matched in terms of field goals (4) and three-pointers (1) in the second period, but the Sycamores went 9-for-11 from the free throw line to eventually take their first lead of the game. However, MSU and Taylor Woodhouse answered with a triple as 0:45 remained in the first half to give MSU a one-point, 26-25, advantage at the break.
Wilson led the way with a game-high 16 points, 12 of which came from the free throw line, in addition to grabbing seven rebounds, collecting three steals and dishing out two assists. Thomas (12 points), Delarue (10 points) and Taylor (10 points) joined Wilson with double-digit scoring performances. Taylor and Green were MSU’s leading rebounders with nine boards each.
As a unit, the Lady Bears held Indiana State to 30 percent shooting from the field and forced 18 Sycamore turnovers. MSU once again won the rebounding battle, while also making 20 free throws, dishing out 14 assists on 23 field goals and recording 10 steals.
Missouri State will continue its road swing as the Lady Bears travel to Evansville to take on the Purple Aces on Saturday, Dec. 31. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. CT.
