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Postgame Presser
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SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State women's basketball improved to 11-2 (2-0 MVC) on the season with a 74-62 victory against Valparaiso here Sunday afternoon at JQH Arena.
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The win kept the Lady Bears' Missouri Valley Conference win streak alive and extended it to 21 games, while head coach
Amaka Agugua-Hamilton earned her 60
th career victory.
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Both teams struggled offensively to start the game, but Missouri State broke through with an 8-0 run to end the opening quarter. The Lady Bears defense held the Beacons scoreless for the final 5:39 of the first period to lead 12-5 after one quarter of play.
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Valparaiso answered back to tie the game at 16 with 4:40 remaining in the first half with the help of six points from Grace White and a couple of three-pointers. With the game tied at 18, the Lady Bears got aggressive driving to the basket and found their way to the free throw line.
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Freshman
Isabelle Delarue continued to stay hot, as she converted an and-1 opportunity before
Paige Rocca and
Sydney Wilson combined for six free throws. Delarue then hit a three-pointer with :01 left on the clock in the half to cap a 7-0 run as the Lady Bears carried a 30-21 lead into the break.
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Valparaiso's Shay Frederick opened the second half with a layup, but Missouri State responded quickly with a 9-0 run and then a 5-0 run following a Beacon field goal to extend the lead to a game-high 19 points in favor of the Lady Bears. Â
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Graduate transfer
Mariah White led Missouri State with eight points in the third quarter, shooting 50 percent from the field and converting 4-of-6 free throws.
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In the final quarter, the Beacons found success from behind the arc, scoring 23 points in the period. However, sixth-year senior
Brice Calip and the Lady Bears were able to put together their second 22-point quarter, 10 of which came courtesy of Calip, and secure the 74-62 victory.
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Rocca earned her first career start and set a career high with 11 points and 29 minutes on the floor, while Wilson recorded her first double-double of the season with a 13-point and career high 13-rebound performance. Senior Abi Jackson also tallied a double-double with 10 points and a career-high 11 rebounds on the afternoon.
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Missouri State had six Lady Bears score in double figures for the first time since March 5, 2020 against Valparaiso. On the defensive end, MSU had a rebounding margin of plus-20 (47-27) for the first time March 6, 2021 at Evansville.
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The Lady Bears will be back at JQH Arena to close out their six-game home stand on Friday, Jan. 7 against Southern Illinois. First tip is set for 7 p.m.
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Tickets for all home games are available at MissouriStateBears.com or through the Old Missouri Bank box office at JQH Arena, (417) 836-7678, during regular office hours.
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