Transfer Angel Scott and junior Indya Green turned in career performances for the Lady Bears on the night. Scott set two career highs with 24 points (7-10 FG, 6-9 3FG) and eight rebounds, while going a perfect 4-for-4 at the free throw line. Meanwhile, Green dropped a career-high 17 points (7-12 FG) in addition to collecting three steals and three boards.
The Lady Bears used a crucial third period, which they dominated at the free throw line, to grab their first major lead as they carried the momentum through the remainder of the game. After going into the locker room at the half with a narrow 31-29 lead, MSU reeled off three respective runs of seven, four and eight points to outscore SEMO, 21-9, in the quarter.
Missouri State was able to take advantage of the Redhawks’ foul trouble, converting 14-of-16 free throw attempts in the third period alone. In addition, MSU’s defense stifled the SEMO offense, holding the Redhawks to 4-of-17 (.235) from the field and blocking four shots in the game-altering quarter.
After pushing the lead to 14 points at the end of the third, the Lady Bears extended their lead to a game-high 16 points at the 8:41 mark of the fourth on a Kennedy Taylor layup. Missouri State withstood one final push from the Redhawks as they cut the lead to six, but Scott’s sixth three-pointer of the night and two Green free throws drove the lead back into double figures. Ultimately, MSU held tough to secure the eight-point victory.
Earlier in the evening, the Lady Bears got off to a slow start in their first game at home this season, shooting 31 percent from the field and turning the ball over seven times in the first quarter. MSU eventually started to find its rhythm, scoring on a Taylor layup and Scott triple to cut the deficit to 16-12 after the first 10 minutes.
Transfers Lacy Stokes and Scott kept the momentum rolling in the second period, hitting the first two shots of the quarter to give the lead back to the home squad. In a back-and-forth battle, the Lady Bears pushed their lead to three points on two occasions via a Green jumper and a Scott trey. SEMO retook the lead on a small four-point spurt near the end of the half, but the 6-4 senior transfer Katrine Jessen knocked down a three as time expired in the half to put MSU in front by two going into the break.
The victory marked Missouri State’s fourth consecutive win over SEMO as the Lady Bears remained undefeated at home all-time against the Redhawks, improving to 9-0. The win also secured MSU’s 100th program victory against schools located in Missouri.
In addition to career nights from Scott and Green, Taylor posted her 12th career double-double with a 14-point, 12-rebound performance in just 25 minutes on the floor. She also blocked a career-high four shots to bring her season total to six.
Missouri State came into the game ranked seventh nationally in three-point percentage defense and held the Redhawks to just 1-for-7 from behind the arc, lowering its three-point defense to .174 (4-23). MSU also owned the advantage on the boards, 41-23, and collected seven blocked shots on the night.
MSU will hit the road again on Sunday, Nov. 26 to take on Oklahoma State. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. CT in Stillwater, Okla. The game will stream on ESPN+.
