GEORGE TOWN, Grand Cayman – Missouri State got career-highs 27 points and 10 rebounds from Vincent Brady II and 13 points from Dez White to turn back previously-unbeaten High Point, 71-61, here Sunday in the opening round of the Cayman Islands Classic.
The Bears (4-1) had to fight off a late surge by the Panthers but utilized a 40-26 rebounding advantage and a 17-of-21 effort from the free throw line to secure their fourth straight win.
Missouri State used a 9-0 run early in the second half to transform a five-point halftime lead into their biggest advantage of the night, 50-37, after triples from White and Chase Martin, followed by a Brady free throw and pure mid-range jumper from Mozae Downing-Rivers.
High Point (5-1) responded with a 10-0 outburst of its own to make it a 50-47 game with 8:33 to go as the game became even more physical, resulting in four player technical fouls before the under-eight timeout.
The Bears, however, kept their composure through adversity with Downing-Rivers scoring seven straight for the Springfield club to restore order and push the lead back to nine, 57-48.
Down the stretch, the Bears were rock solid at the line, making 6-of-6 in the final 1:01 and handling the Panthers’ full-court pressure to perfection. In the end the Bears collected 8 steals, forced 13 turnovers and snagged a season-high 16 offensive boards to secure the win.
MSU finished 23-of-59 (.390) from the field 8-of-18 (.444) from three and 81 percent at the line (17-of-21) with Downing-Rivers and Zaxton King each distributing four assists.
High Point was 20-of-46 (.435) overall from the field, 3-for-17 (.176) from beyond the arc and 18-for-24 (.750) at the line. The Panthers were led by Kezza Giffa and D’Maurian Williams with 14 points apiece.
In the first half, the Bears made five threes and led by as many as a dozen before settling on a 35-30 advantage at the midway point. Brady led the Bears with 16 points in the opening 20 minutes.
The Bears advance to Monday’s second semifinal against the winner of Boston College and Old Dominion at 6:30 p.m. (Central).
