SPRINGFIELD – Kobi Williams scored a game-high 25 points and buried five 3-pointers as one of four Missouri State starters in double figures, but the Bears could not overcome a hot-shooting Delaware team in a 76-67 home defeat here Saturday.
 
The Blue Hens (9-16, 5-9 CUSA) picked up their third straight Conference USA victory behind 23 points from Justyn Fernandez and 21 from Tyler Houser. Delaware also shot 53 percent from the field, and 94 percent from the free throw line in their first-ever visit to Great Southern Bank Arena.
 
The Bears (13-12, 7-7 CUSA) trailed by 10 at the half before Delaware extended that lead to 14 early in the second period with back-to-back scores by Macon Emory. Missouri State responded with a quick 8-0 burst with Michael Osei-Bonsu and Trey Williams Jr. scoring four points apiece to make it a 42-36 game heading into the under-16 media timeout.
 
Missouri State dominated the next six minutes with Trey knocking down another triple, Keith Palek III finding his groove with a couple of jumpers, and Darrion Sutton converting a close-range bucket. Palek's lone three of the ball game came at the 10:25 mark and drew the Bears within 51-50 of the lead.
 
Less than a minute later, Zaxton King went to the line with a chance to tie the game or give MSU the lead. However, the career 78-percent free throw shooter missed both shots, and the Blue Hens capitalized with a 13-3 run over the next six minutes. Just after the under-four minute break, Delaware's lead swelled to 64-53, and possessions became even more valuable for the home squad.
 
UD's 11-point advantage held until the 2:17 mark when the Bears began chipping away. Kobi Williams made a couple free throws and a 3-pointer to trim the deficit to five with 1:23 to play. Delaware missed its only free throw of the afternoon on its next possession, which opened the door for MSU again. The Bears went to Kobi Williams again in the right corner, but the sharp shooter hit the deck after the shot and when no whistle came, the Blue Hens scored on a run-out layup to push ahead 70-62.
 
A Trey Williams three and Osei-Bonsu stick-back in the final minute both got the Bears back within five, but Fernandez sealed it for the visitors with four straight free throws in the last 30 seconds.
 
The Bears were 22-of-59 (.373) from the field, 10-of-28 (.357) from long range and 13-of-18 (.722) at the free throw line with a narrow 32-31 rebounding advantage.
 
Trey Williams (13), Palek (11) and Osei-Bonsu (10) joined Kobi Williams in double figures for the maroon side with Trey knocking down four 3-pointers to go with 4 assists and 3 steals in a valiant 34-minute effort.
 
The Blue Hens were 26-of-49 (.531) overall from the field – the fourth-best percentage by any Bears' opponent this winter. They also finished 8-of-18 (.444) from bonus distance and the third-best single-game free throw percentage in arena history after making 16-of-17 (.941) at the stripe.
 
In the first half, Kobi Williams' second triple of the game pulled the Bears within 23-21 with 7:19 to go. The Blue Hens then embarked on a 12-2 surge before the intermission to lead by as many as 12. Sutton's layup at the five-minute mark was the only bright spot in that stretch for the home side as the Bears ended the half on a 1-for-10 shooting slump to trail 35-25 at the break.
 
Missouri State's three-game home stand concludes on Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. when the Bears square off with Kennesaw State at Great Southern Bank Arena. The game will feature a Stripe Out for all fan sections as well as a halftime performance from Christian & Scooby.
 
Tickets for all upcoming home games are available at MissouriStateBears.com/tickets or through the MSU Athletics Box Office at Great Southern Bank Arena, (417) 836-7678, during regular office hours.
 
A complete list of season promotions and ticket specials is also available at MissouriStateBears.com/promotions.