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SPRINGFIELD – Behind a 20-point performance from Bryan Trimble Jr., the Missouri State men's basketball team coasted to a 78-58 victory over Newman in exhibition play here Saturday night.  
 
Trimble finished 7-of-13 from the field and 6-of-12 from 3-point range to pace the Bears who led by as many as 24 in the second half. Donovan Clay, the club's only returning starter posted a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
 
Matthew Lee and Chance Moore also scored in double figures for Dana Ford's squad with 12 and 10 points, respectively.
 
"I saw some good things, saw things we need to work on," said Ford. "I thought it was a really good exhibition. We came out and did some things early. Our guys tried to do what we asked, and there's some areas we need to clean up. Fifteen turnovers is too much, but overall I think it was a solid exhibition game."


Trimble, a graduate transfer from Akron, immediately went to work behind the arc, draining five straight threes in the first 10 minutes. His 6-of -6 shooting to start the game highlighted a 15-1 run to put the Bears up 30-8 at the midway point in the opening half.  

The Bears led 41-29 at the half and then fired at a 50-percent clip in the second half to secure the win.
 
MSU also had 15 assists on 25 field goals with Clay, Raphe Ayres and Damien Mayo Jr., each each accounting for three dimes.

The visiting Jets were led by Stevie Smith who had 16 points, while Latik Murphy scored 10. Newman also racked up 15 points off MSU's 15 turnovers.
 
For the night, MSU was 25-of-51 (.490) and 10-of-25 (.400) from long range. The Bears owned a 43-25 rebounding advantage and capitalized on 18-of-25 (.720) free throws with Clay going an impressive 11-of-11 at the stripe.
 
The Bears begin the 2022-23 regular season on Wednesday night when they host historical rival Missouri S&T at 7 p.m. at Great Southern Bank Arena. Tickets are available at MissouriStateBears.com or by visiting the Great Southern Bank Arena Box office, (417) 836-7678, during regular box office hours.