SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State used a strong second-half performance on both ends of the floor to turn back visiting UC Santa Barbara, 68-56, here Sunday in the Bears’ final non-conference contest.
The Bears (7-5) were led by Dez White’s game-high 26 points, including three 3-pointers and 11-of-12 makes at the foul line. Vincent Brady II contributed 13 points and 7 rebounds, while Michael Osei-Bonsu tacked on 10 points and a pair of steals for the home side.
After leading by six at the half, Missouri State was able to turn up the defensive pressure to gain some separation early in the second half. Brady’s long jumper with just over 15 minutes to play extended MoState’s lead to double figures for the first time, 39-29.
MSU sustained a quick 6-0 retaliation from the Gauchos coming out of the under-16 timeout that made it a four-point game, but the Bears then embarked on their best stretch of the night. Osei-Bonsu ignited an 11-2 outburst from the maroon side with two quick buckets. Jalen Hampton, Zaxton King and Brady soon joined in the fun, and coach Cuonzo Martin’s squad pushed ahead by 13 midway through the final period.
Missouri State allowed just six second-chance points in the second half off 20 total missed shots by UCSB, which allowed the Bears to string together clutch stops down the stretch. Osei-Bonsu began the stretch run with a clutch layup with 3:51 to play before White, Brady and King combined to make 10-of-12 free throws in crunch time to secure the victory.
The Bears finished 22-of-45 (.489) from the field, 6-for-13 (.462) from three-point range and 18-for-24 (.750) at the stripe with a 34-26 rebounding advantage and 10 forced turnovers.
With the victory, the Bears improved to 5-1 at home this season.
UCSB (7-5) was led by 20 points and 10 rebounds from Kenny Pohto, while Cole Anderson added 11 points behind three of his team’s six triples on the afternoon.
The Gauchos were 20-of-48 (.417) overall, 6-of-18 (.333) from long range and 10-for-16 (.625) at the line with 16 bench points and 26 points in the paint.
In the first half, there were 11 lead changes before the Bears ended the half on an 8-3 run to lead 31-25 at the intermission. White scored 17 points in the opening stanza, including a pair of threes during the critical surge over the final two minutes of the opening half.
The Bears resume Missouri Valley Conference play next Sunday (Dec. 29) at Evansville (3 p.m.) before returning to Great Southern Bank Arena on New Year’s Day to square off with Valparaiso at 7 p.m.
