NASHVILLE – Missouri State women’s basketball fell to 9-6 (4-3 MVC) on the season following a 75-66 loss at Belmont (8-10, 4-3 MVC) on Friday night.
Missouri State’s second-half comeback bid fell short despite a valiant effort from the Lady Bears.
The Bruins continued their first-half momentum early in the third quarter, extending their lead to a game-high 16 points just two and a half minutes into the second half. The challenge didn’t deter the Lady Bears as they began the long climb back into the game.
The most crucial part of the bid came in the third period as freshman Jade Masogayo sparked a 9-0 run that pulled the Lady Bears back within four points and striking distance of the Bruins. The run also included a massive three-pointer from Sydney Wilson that marked her 1,000th career point. Aniya Thomas later knocked down a layup as time expired in the third to make it a 48-42 game in favor of the Bruins headed to the final 10 minutes.
Missouri State continued to battle in the fourth quarter, as Masogayo connected on back-to-back layups to cut the deficit to two points and put the Lady Bears within a basket of the Bruins. Unfortunately, that’s as close as the Lady Bears would get as Belmont scored seven straight points, six coming from the free throw line, to take a 10-point lead and defeat MSU, 75-66.
Belmont jumped out to an early lead in Nashville, but the Lady Bears were able to keep things close in the first quarter. The Bruins extended their lead to as many as five but a four-point Lady Bear swing, including two Aniya Thomas free throws, made it a one-point game late in the first. However, Belmont was able to get inside and get a layup as time expired in the first to lead 13-10 after one.
The Bruins kept the pressure on with back-to-back buckets out of the half to extend their lead to eight. Thomas answered once again, this time with a huge three-pointer to give the Lady Bears some momentum, although it was short-lived. Belmont then reeled off an 11-2 run over a three-plus minute span to up by 14. With under a minute remaining in the first, Taylor Woodhouse drained a three to get Missouri State within 11 points, 31-20, heading into the break.
Thomas led the way for Missouri State with 21 points, marking her eighth consecutive game with 10 or more points and her third 20-point performance on the season. Masogayo scored a career-high 16 points on 7-for-10 shooting from the field, while adding three blocks. Kennedy Taylor logged her ninth straight double-digit scoring performance and her sixth double-double on the year with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Wilson became the 31st Lady Bear in program history to record 1,000 career points with her first basket of the night, ultimately turning in an eight-point, 11-rebound outing against the Bruins.
MSU won the rebounding battle, 50-40, as they grabbed 24 offensive boards. The Lady Bears also tallied seven blocks and led with 19 bench points and 21 second-chance points.
Missouri State will head to Murray State for a matchup on Sunday, Jan. 22. Tipoff against the Racers is set for 2 p.m. CT.
