Acimovic Leads Four Bears in Double Figures as Mo State Dominates Opener

Tuesday, November 3

Springfield

7:00 p.m.

Missouri State University

1-0,0-0CUSA

Lincoln University

0-0,0-0GLVC

Team	1	2	F
Lincoln (MO)	26	34	60
Missouri St.	49	39	88

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November 03, 2026 | Men's Basketball

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By: MSU Athletics Communications

SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State used a 22-4 run over a six-minute stretch in the opening half to stretch a two-point advantage into a 20-point lead and never looked back in an 88-60 win over visiting Lincoln University here Tuesday in the Bears' season opener.

Indiana transfer Andrej Acimovic led all players with 24 points to lead Mo State (1-0), while Melakih Cunningham added 19 off the bench, Trey Williams, Jr. scored 11 points with 10 assists, and Ngundeng Ruey tallied 10 points in reserve.

Lincoln got 14 points from Don Coats III on 6-of-7 field goals, while Sean Burress added 9 points and 5 assists for the Blue Tigers.

Out of the gates, Lincoln led for about five minutes before a 10-0 surge gave the Bears a 21-14 lead at the under-12 media timeout. Back-to-back triples by Williams and a bucket off the glass from Ruey capped the run. The decisive 22-4 outburst would soon follow, and the Bears led 49-26 at the intermission – their largest lead to that point -- with Acimovic racking up 13 points in the opening 20 minutes while the Bears shot 55.9 percent from the field.

In the second half, back-to-back three-pointers by Cunningham and Williams sparked a 10-0 run for the Bears to push the home squad ahead by 31 for its largest advantage of the night. The two-minute surge forced a Lincoln timeout, and the visitors would get no closer than 25 the rest of the game.

Acimovic finished 9-of-16 from the field and 6-for-7 at the line to stand out in his Missouri State debut, while Cunningham was 5-of-6 from downtown and 7-of-8 overall. Missouri State's top rebounders were newcomers Christian Thompson and Jordan Blair with 7 apiece. Ruey also helped out with 3 blocked shots and a pair of long threes.

For the night, Missouri State finished 34-of-62 (.548) from the field, 11-of-21 (.524) from long range and 9-for-15 (.600) at the stripe with 24 assists, 10 blocks and 12 turnovers. The Bears also accumulated 44 points in the paint, 38 bench points and 14 second-chance points on 12 offensive caroms.

Lincoln was 24-of-67 (.368) overall from the field, 10-for-29 (.345) from bonus distance and just 2-for-5 (.400) at the line with 11 assists, 15 turnovers and 10 blocks.

On Friday, the Bears continue a five-game home stand to begin the new campaign when they entertain Truman State at 7 p.m. The "Win and You're In" ticket special continues for that game with single-game tickets and parking available at MissouriStateBears.com and at the Missouri State Box Office at Great Southern Bank Arena, (417) 836-7678, during regular box office hours.

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