Feb. 21, 2014
Final Stats
SPRINGFIELD -- Indiana State's defense smothered the Missouri State offense Friday evening as the Sycamores held the Lady Bears to season lows in nearly every offensive category in a 73-37 win at JQH Arena.
Indiana State (14-10, 9-4 Missouri Valley Conference) held tight to third place in the conference standings with the win, while the Lady Bears dropped to 12-13 and 7-7 in MVC play to move into a fourth-place tie with Drake.
Katie Palmer's jumper with 14:22 left in the first half was Missouri State's only field goal in the first 17-plus minutes of the contest, and Indiana State followed that with a 17-2 run to lead 23-6 with 4:20 to play in the half.
Lexi Hughes broke MSU's drought with a 3-pointer at the 2:42 mark for a 25-13 deficit, and an 11-for-14 showing at the free throw line in the first period helped make up for a 3-for-23 shooting performance as the Lady Bears went into the break trailing 32-18.
Desiree Phillips scored Missouri State's first five points of the second half, including a 3-pointer for a 34-23 deficit with 18:12 to play, but the Sycamores countered with a 13-0 run to put the game away as MSU went another seven minutes without scoring. Tyonna Snow's jumper with 11:25 remaining made it 47-25, but the Lady Bears got no closer as ISU led by as many as 39 points late in the contest.
The Lady Bears shot 11-for-55 in the game in scoring their fewest points since a 58-34 loss at Indiana State in 2006. The Sycamores made 48.2 percent of their field goals and won the rebounding battle 46-30. Marina Laramie led four Sycamores in double figures with 18 points, while Tyonna Snow's eight points paced the Lady Bears.
Missouri State closes its home schedule Sunday at 2 p.m. against Illinois State (7-16, 6-7). MSU's seniors will be honored in a pregame ceremony and be recognized again at University Plaza following the game. The UP gathering is free of charge and refreshments will be provided.
