MARTIN, Tenn. – Missouri State women's basketball (2-1) dropped its first game of the season with a 74-66 setback at UT Martin (1-4) on Wednesday afternoon.
 
A slow start to the day set the tone for the game as the Lady Bears found themselves down early on the road and were never able to capture the lead. Despite shooting just 13 percent (2-for-15) from the field in the opening quarter, MSU only found itself down five points after the first period, due in large part to going a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line while UTM shot just one free throw. 
 
It was a dead heat in the second quarter as both squads shot 50 percent or better from the field and were even in the number and type of shots made, resulting in a 19-19 second period scoring performance. The Lady Bears did hold a 10-5 advantage on the boards and dished out six assists on eight made field goals in the quarter as they trailed 36-31 at the intermission. 
 
Missouri State came out of the half and started chipping away at the Skyhawk lead, including a 7-0 run that made it a one-point game with 4:25 remaining in the third. The Lady Bears held UTM scoreless for over three minutes as a Kiley Bess triple made it a one possession game before Cady Pauley cut across the baseline and got a layup to fall to cut the MSU deficit to one. Unfortunately, as was the theme for the second half, the Lady Bears could never get over the hump and grab the lead. 
 
In the final quarter, the Lady Bears got within a possession of the lead on three occasions, first on a Lacy Stokes layup and then twice on Kyrah Daniels triples, but MoState couldn't get the big stop when it needed it most. With under a minute remaining, the Lady Bears were forced to send the Skyhawks to the free throw line, where UTM went 16-for-20 in the fourth quarter and 20-for-24 in the game, which sealed MSU's fate in the road loss. 
 
Sarah Linthacum set a new career high with 20 points on 9-for-13 from the field and tied for the team lead with nine rebounds. Daniels followed with 18 points, which matched her career high, while also pulling down nine boards and blocking a career-high three shots. Stokes was the final Lady Bear in double figures with 13 points in addition to five assists. 
 
As a team, the Lady Bears shot 36 percent (23-for-64) from the field, 22 percent (5-for-23) from three and 68 percent (15-for-22) from the free throw line. MSU won the battle on the boards, 42-34, and in the paint, 34-24, but couldn't put the pieces together at the right time to complete the comeback effort. 
 
Missouri State continues its road swing this weekend with a trip to Saint Louis on Saturday, Nov. 23. Tipoff against the Billikens is set for 1:00 p.m. and the game will stream on ESPN+.