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SPRINGFIELD – After a dismal start and then a furious comeback to take the lead in the second half, Missouri State faded down the stretch here Saturday in a 78-68 setback to visiting Indiana State at JQH Arena.
 
The Bears (10-13, 4-6 MVC) fell behind by as many as 15 in the first half, missing 9-of-11 shots during one stretch while the Sycamores made 14 of their first 21 attempts to build a 30-15 advantage. MSU rallied in the final two minutes of the opening period, using an 8-2 run to get back within 46-38, at the intermission behind 12 points by Gaige Prim and a shot in the arm from senior Ross Owens who picked up a steal and 4 points in the final 32 seconds of the half.
 
Prim led the Bears with 23 points and 7 rebounds for the game.
 
In the second half, the Bears kept the momentum going, getting five quick points by Tulio Da Silva before the first media timeout and a 3-pointer by Ja'Monta Black to get within 50-48. Josh Hall then tied the game at the 13:32 mark on a precision pass from Lamont West.
 
Da Silva gave the Bears a 52-51 lead with a quick layup before Indiana State answered moments later with a bucket from sophomore Cooper Neese. But West's power dunk with 11:31 remaining in the game pushed MSU back ahead 54-53 heading into the under-12 media timeout and the crowd on its feet.
 
Tyreke Key, who notched game-highs with 27 points and 9 rebounds for ISU, scored Indiana State's next seven points to put the visitors ahead by three. Prim was then able to get Missouri State back within 60-59 with 8:29 to play after a fancy pass by Keandre Cook. However, Missouri State would score just one field goal in the next eight minutes while the Sycamores inched ahead.
 
By the five-minute mark, ISU led 65-60. With three-and-a-half minutes remaining, the Sycamores pushed ahead 69-61. The Bears finally got a quick jumper by West on the left baseline to make it 69-65 with 1:25 to play, but could not close the gap down the stretch.
 
While Indiana State was stretching its lead, Missouri State made just 2-of-8 from the field in the final eight minutes and converted just 5-of-9 attempts from the charity stripe over the last six minutes. The Sycamores made 11-of-12 free throws – all by Key and Christian Williams – in the final 3:30 to stretch the final deficit to double figures.
 
The Bears finished 25-of-59 (.424) from the field, 4-of-14 (.286) from long range and 14-of-19 (.737) from the foul line.
 
Da Silva produced 11 points and team-high 8 rebounds in his return to the starting lineup. MSU also registered 13 assists -- from eight different players – with just 8 turnovers.
 
Indiana State was 27-of-50 (.540) from the field overall, 8-of-13 (.615) from bonus distance, and 16-of-19 (.842) at the foul line with a 32-28 rebounding advantage and a dozen second-chance points.
 
The Bears will close out their two-game home stand Wednesday at 7 p.m. in a battle against Illinois State at JQH Arena. Missouri State defeated the Redbirds, 67-63, in Normal on Jan. 7 and are looking for their first regular-season sweep of ISU since the 2010-11 season.
 
Tickets for the Illinois State game, and all home contests, are available at MissouriStateBears.com, or by visiting the Old Missouri Bank Box Office at JQH Arena, (417) 836-7678, during regular box office hours.