NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Missouri State recorded 19 blocks in Saturday's match at Belmont, the program's highest total since 2007 – when sets were played to 30 points – but the Bruins rallied from a 2-0 deficit to take down the Bears in five sets at Curb Event Center.

Belmont (12-17, 6-9 Missouri Valley Conference) won the final three sets by a combined seven total points, narrowly claiming each one to move within a match of the Bears (13-14, 7-8) for the final spot in the upcoming MVC Tournament.

Azyah Green (9), Lindsay Lahr (7) and Neele'ge' Sims (7) all posted season-high blocking totals to help MoState reach its best block total since getting 19 against Kansas on Sept. 1, 2007.

The Bears had nine blocks and forced 18 Belmont errors in the first two sets on the way to a 2-0 lead, then nearly rallied from a 21-13 deficit in the third set to get the sweep. MSU pulled even at 23-all when Belmont responded with a kill and got the win on a Bears attack error.

Missouri State fell behind 10-5 in the fourth, then took a 16-15 lead that Belmont countered with a 4-0 run on the way to forcing a fifth set.

The final period was tied nine times to 12-12, Belmont scored the next two, and Green fought off a match point with a kill. Katie Wemhoener then served what appeared to be the tying ace for 14-14, but review overturned the call, ruling the ball landed wide to hand the Bruins the match victory.

Deja Bickers (14), Maddy Bushnell (13) and Green (10) reached double figures in kills for the Bears. Belmont led 64-50 in that category but just .141-.138 in attack efficiency.

Teagan Polcovich had 24 digs and Morgan Sprague added 18 to go with 40 assists. Sprague and Kate Owen served two aces each.

The Bears return home for matches against Bradley at 6 p.m. Friday and Illinois State at 5 p.m. Saturday.