Aug. 25, 2011

Missouri State senior Caleb Patterson (C, Ames, Okla.) recently returned from Europe where he spent part of August touring with a Global Sports Academy team and gaining invaluable experience playing against teams of European professionals.

"I felt like I played good over there," Patterson said. "I felt like I can play with anybody if I just go out and do it."

Patterson started three of the five games in Belgium, Great Britain and The Netherlands and averaged double figures in scoring during those games, including a team-high 14 points in the final game of the tour. Over the course of the five-game tour, Patterson averaged 8.0 points per game.

Kevin Baggett, who was the head coach for the GSA squad, said Patterson showed consistency inside and out and will bring a new attitude to the Bears this season.

"He was one of our most consistent players on the offensive end," said Baggett who is the associate head coach at Rider University. "The Bears should be excited having Caleb for his senior year. He was a big for us, but he was also one of my better perimerter shooters, and I knew I could count on Caleb when we needed a quick basket."

The Global Sports Academy took 20 American players on the tour, which consisted of two different teams. Patterson's team finished 2-3 overall, but he said he got to see a lot of interesting places, experience a new culture and get his mind ready for the 2011-12 season.

"I am very excited," Patterson said. "Knowing our players have been working hard this summer and personally getting to take my game to another level, I am ready to get started."

The Bears will play their first exhibition game on Oct. 27 when first-year head coach Paul Lusk and the MSU squad entertain Truman State at 7:05 p.m. Season ticket information for the 15-game regular-season schedule is available by calling (417) 836-7678 or by visiting the Chevy Pickup Window at JQH Arena during regular office hours.