SPRINGFIELD -- The Missouri State Bears have shot 50 percent from the field and out-rebounded visiting Oral Roberts by five in the first half to take a 38-28 lead into the intermission in the season opener for both squads.

Adam Leonard put the Bears on the board early with the game's first basket, a three-pointer, and the Bears never trailed the rest of the half. A layup by Isaiah Rhine at the 14:47 mark gave the Bears an 11-4 lead, and four minutes later, a bucket by Jermaine Mallett gave the Bears their first double-figure lead of the half, 20-9.

Oral Roberts made a living at the free throw line in the first half, making 10-of-15 charity shots, and cut its deficit to eight points, 27-19, with just under seven-and-a-half minutes to go in the opening period on a free throw by Hunter McClintock.

The Golden Eagles would go more than six minutes without a field goal down the stretch until a short jumper by Steven Roundtree just before the horn.

Roundtree led ORU, which was 9-for-23 (.391) in the first half, with 10 points, while Dominique Morrison scored seven.

The Bears got 12 points in the first half from Kyle Weems and six apiece from Leonard, and Nafis Ricks.

Missouri State outrebounded ORU 19-14 and was 3-for-10 from three-point range.