SPRINGFIELD – Senior Maddy Bushnell had a career-high seven blocks but visiting UNI proved too much Friday at Hammons Student Center as the Panthers remained unbeaten in Missouri Valley Conference play with a 25-21, 25-14, 25-17 victory.
 
The Bears (11-17, 5-11) remained in three-way tie with Belmont and Evansville for the final spot in the upcoming MVC Tournament, while UNI improved to 16-0 in league play and 21-7 overall.
 
The opening set included some big scoring runs late, the first a 4-0 spurt from UNI for an 18-14 lead. The Bears then rattled off four in a row for 20-20 tie, only to see another 4-0 UNI run make it 24-20 in favor of the Panthers.
 
The visitors hit .441 in the second set in a wire-to-wire win and pulled away from an 8-8 tie in the third by holding the Bears to just six kills in the period.
 
UNI's defense held MoState to a season-low .067 hitting percentage thanks to 54 digs and 11 blocks. The Panthers hit .239 with 46 kills compared to 26 winners for the Bears.
 
Missouri State had 10 blocks and 39 digs, with Kate Owen's 15 leading the way. Iva Halacheva hit .368 with nine kills as MSU's top offensive performer.
 
The Bears host Drake (18-8, 14-1) at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. MoState will honor its five seniors after the match.