After navigating a difficult non-conference schedule, the Missouri State Lady Bears (4-7) begin Missouri Valley Conference play this weekend with a pair of games in Indiana.
   MSU opens its 26th MVC season Friday at 6 p.m. at Indiana State (2-9), and visits Evansville (3-8) at 1 p.m. on New Year's Eve.
   Missouri State is 15-10 all-time in MVC openers, and has finished third or better in the regular-season standings 18 times in 25 league seasons.
   The Lady Bears are 39-15 in MVC games the last three seasons, finishing third better each of the last three years.
Kellie Harper's .653 MVC winning percentage ranks ninth in league history and second among MSU coaches.
Series Histories
Missouri State holds a 57-18 series lead over the Sycamores, including a 23-12 mark in Terre Haute. MSU has won the last eight meetings.
    The Lady Bears lead Evansville 38-13 in the all-time series, including a 15-9 record in Evansville. MSU has won 16 of the last 20 meetings.
Scouting Indiana State
Indiana State is 2-9 on the season with wins against Montana and Missouri S&T. The Sycamores lead the MVC in steals (9.9) and turnover margin (+1.64), and have three players averaging between 10.2 and 11.2 points per game. As a team, Indiana State scores 58.7 points and allows 65.5, shooting 36.2 percent overall, 32.5 percent from bonus distance and 62.8 percent at the foul line.
Scouting Evansville
Evansville is 3-8 overall and is one of the MVC's top shooting teams on a percentage basis. Three Purple Aces score at least 11.5 points per game, led by Hannah Noe's 17.3 points and 3.5 3-pointers per game. As a team, Evansville scores 70.7 points and allows 78.9 with shooting percentages of .446 overall, .404 from long range and .821 at the foul line.
