SPRINGFIELD -- Missouri State's women's basketball team got its first taste of game action Monday evening, falling by a 70-64 final to defending NCAA Division II national champion Central Missouri in an exhibition contest at JQH Arena.

Neither club led by more than seven points for the duration of the game, with MSU's largest advantage coming at 27-20 with 9:36 left until halftime after a 12-for-19 shooting start.

The Lady Bears' offense went cold after that, making just one of its next 15 field goal attempts before intermission to fall behind 35-31 at the break.

The Jennies buried one of their 10 3-pointers 65 seconds into the second half to lead 38-31, and knocked down another long ball with 4:33 on the clock for a 48-41 advantage after MSU pulled within a basket.

Missouri State tied the game at 51-all with 44 seconds left in the third, but three more treys by UCM had the visitors up seven again at 62-55 with 5:40 remaining.

A Brice Calip free throw pulled the Lady Bears even at 62-62 with 2:06 left, and Danielle Gitzen scored after grabbing a loose ball under the MSU bucket for a 64-64 score with 1:21 to play. The Jennies used the full shot clock and scored on their next possession, and Missouri State was unable to convert on its next several tries as UCM made enough free throws to secure the win.

Alexa Willard scored a game-high 23 points on 11-of-19 shooting, and Calip added 13 while going 7-for-10 at the foul line. Gitzen grabbed four steals, and Emily Gartner pulled down seven rebounds.

Missouri State shot 41 percent overall compared to 39.7 percent for the Jennies and committed just 10 turnovers, but made only one 3-pointer and left 11 points at the foul line.

The Lady Bears host Lincoln on Sunday, Nov. 4 at 2 p.m. in their final exhibition contest. The regular season begins Nov. 10 at Wichita State.