Missouri State tips off its 27th season of Missouri Valley Conference play at JQH Arena this weekend when the Lady Bears welcome Indiana State at 7 p.m. Friday and Evansville at 2 p.m. Sunday.
   The Lady Bears closed the non-conference schedule with a 4-7 record after three consecutive wins, and have finished third or better in the MVC standings four consecutive seasons and 19 times in 26 years in the league. Missouri State is 54-18 in league play the last four years, and
Kellie Harper's .689 conference winning percentage ranks sixth in MVC history.
   MSU owns a 16-10 record in Valley openers, including a 77-63 victory at Indiana State on Dec. 29 of last season.
   The Lady Bears stay home next week as well, with a 2 p.m. game on Jan. 13 against Southern Illinois to close out the four game home stand.
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Series Histories
Missouri State holds a 59-18 series lead over the Sycamores, including a 31-6 mark in Springfield. MSU has won 10 straight in the series 19 of the last 23 overall.
    The Lady Bears lead Evansville 40-13 in the all-time series, including a 22-2 record in Springfield. MSU has won 18 of the last 22 meetings overall.
Scouting Indiana State
Indiana State went 6-5 in the non-conference season, including a 4-3 record in true road games. The Sycamores lead the MVC with 10.6 steals per game, with Ashli O'Neal nabbing 35 to go along with team-highs of 14.6 points and 2.0 assists per game. As a team, ISU scores 61.5 points per game and allows 62.5 with shooting percentages of 36.9 percent overall, 33.6 percent from long range and 69 percent at the foul line.
Scouting Evansville
Evansville posted a 2-9 non-conference record and opens MVC play Jan. 4 at Southern Illinois. Kerri Gasper leads the Purple Aces with 11.5 points and 7.5 rebounds. UE scores 55.4 points per game and allows 68.6, shooting 34.8 percent overall, 29.7 percent on 3-pointers and 78 percent at the foul line after leading the nation in that category last season.
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