Dec. 13, 2015 Final Stats
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SPRINGFIELD - Missouri State's 21-6 run in the second half nearly erased an 18-point deficit, but visiting Tulsa (7-3) ended the game with an 8-2 outburst to end the Bears' upset hopes and claim a 70-61 decision Sunday at JQH Arena.
James Woodard scored a game-high 20 points for Tulsa, while Rashad Smith added 12 points and a team-high 7 rebounds.
The Bears (3-6) got a team-high 17 points from Christ Kendrix with newcomers Dequon Miller and Ryan Kreklow pouring in 11 points apiece. Obediah Church and Camyn Boone each snagged 8 rebounds to lead all players and help MSU take a 43-38 rebounding advantage.
Missouri State cut into a 10-point halftime deficit with three foul shots by Kendrix less than a minute into the second period, but quickly surrendered runs of 7-0 and 9-0 by the Golden Hurricane to trail 54-36 with just over 12 minutes to go.
The Bears kept their composure and went on a 21-6 run - getting 19 points from their newcomers - over the next 8 minutes. A jumper off the glass by Kreklow with 4:09 to play made it a 60-57 game.
Tulsa responded with a quick bucket by Shaquille Harrison from close-range on its next possession, but with 3:25 left, Miller knocked down two free throws to once again make it a three-point contest.
But the last 3 minutes of the game belonged to the visitors as Tulsa used its speed and defense to reel off 8 unanswered points and end the MSU comeback bid. Coach Frank Haith's club finished the game with 40 points in the paint and 20 fast-break points.
"They're really explosive in transition," said MSU head coach Paul Lusk. "We didn't shoot the ball well today, so the bonus (in the second half) saved us. We were able to make it a game and generate some points at the foul line, but we got sped up by their athleticism and missed some layups which hurt us."
MSU was 18-for-22 (.818) at the free throw line, including 14-of-17 in the second half, which kept the Bears in the game until the end. Kendrix was 8-of-9 from the stripe to lead all players, while Miller was 4-for-4 until missing a pair of key shots with just under 2 minutes to go.
The Bears made just 20-of-63 (.317) shots overall and just 3-of-17 (.176) from bonus distance while committing 11 turnovers and blocking 6 shots.
Tulsa, which won for the third time in four games, was 28-for-65 (.431) overall, 6-of-24 (.250) from downtown and 8-of-11 (.727) from the stripe with 12 turnovers.
The Golden Hurricane is the most-experienced team in all of Division I basketball, averaging 2.75 years of experience per player, with a national-best 9 seniors and 90-percent of its points returning from an NCAA Tournament team.
In the first half, a five-minute cold snap by Missouri State saw the visitors build and 12-point advantage before a jumper by Kreklow halted a 1-for-13 stretch for the Bears. Tulsa would eventually lead by as many as 14 before MSU rallied behind a 14-5 run to get within 33-28 at the 2-minute mark of the opening period.
However, Tulsa would end the half with five unanswered points to go into the break with a 38-28 lead behind 17 points from Woodard.
The Bears will cap a three-game home stand Wednesday at 7 p.m., when they entertain Oral Roberts in a rematch of the season opener in Tulsa. Tickets are available at MissouriStateBears.com/tickets or during regular hours at the MSU Athletics Box Office at JQH Arena and by phone at (417) 836-7678.
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