MIAMI – Home standing FIU made just four 3-pointers all day, but with the game on the line here Saturday afternoon, Corey Stephenson's triple from the left wing with 3.5 seconds left decided Missouri State's fate in a 70-67 Conference USA setback.
 
The Bears (13-14, 7-9  CUSA) had just tied the game moments earlier on a pair of clutch free throws from Keith Palek III that drew the visitors even, 67-67, after trailing by nine earlier in the half.
 
Kobi Williams, who tallied a game-high 25 points, knocked down two of his four threes in the last three minutes of the game to help the maroon side keep pace. He launched MSU's desperation 3-point attempt at the buzzer that drew iron but rimmed out.
 
The Bears also got 12 points from Trey Williams Jr. who helped MSU cut a six-point deficit in half with his three with 1:25 remaining, while Michael Osei-Bonsu posted a game-high 12 boards.
 
For its part, FIU (13-14, 6-10) made six of its last seven field goal attempts over the game's final five minutes – all jumpers -- including three buckets from Julian Mackey who led the Panthers with 22 points.
 
The Bears committed just three turnovers in the second half and shot 50 percent from the field over the final 20 minutes after a slow start. Likewise, Missouri State was 7-of-14 from three down the stretch and converted 10-of-13 free throws in the second stanza.
 
The visiting squad out-rebounded FIU by a 38-30 margin with 13 offensive boards contributing to 10 second-chance points. MSU also collected 9 of its 14 bench points from Zaxton King who was 3-for-5 from the field off the pine.
 
Missouri State, which dropped its fifth straight, finished 22-of-56 (.393) overall from the field, 9-for-24 (.375) from long range and 14-for-21 (.667) at the stripe with 15 assists, including 4 from Palek.
 
FIU was 25-of-53 (.472) overall, 4-for-15 (.267) from downtown, and 16-of-24 (.667) from the line with 12 assists and 9 turnovers.
 
Stephenson finished with 17 points as one of four Panthers in double figures.
 
In the first half, the Bears committed 11 turnovers and could not find their rhythm on the offensive end to trail 29-22. Kobi Williams logged 14 points in the opening stanza, including a rare four-point play that cut an eight-point deficit in half at the 5:44 mark.
 
FIU led by as many as nine in the first period, using a 7-1 run in the final three minutes to log their biggest lead. Kobi Williams' two free throws in the final seven seconds made it a seven-point game at the break, despite MSU shooting just 28.6 percent in the half.
 
Missouri State continues its three-game CUSA road swing next Thursday at LA Tech (6:30 p.m.) before closing on the month at Sam Houston on Feb. 28.
 
The Bears will conclude the regular season at home with two games in early March, including a rematch with WKU on Thursday, March 5 (7 p.m.) and senior day against Middle Tennessee on March 7 (2 p.m.)
 
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.