AUSTIN, Texas – No. 16 Missouri State women's basketball (23-13) fell 87-45 to No. 1 Texas (32-3) in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament to bring its season to a close.
 
Kaemyn Bekemeier led the way for Missouri State with 14 points (5-10 FG), her 32^nd double-figure scoring performance of the season, and two steals. Lainie Douglas followed with 11 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Maiesha Washington capped off an impressive freshman season with 11 points and three rebounds to round out Mo State's double-figure scorers.
 
Missouri State struggled offensively in the first half in front of a crowd of 7,938 at the Moody Center. Out of the intermission, the Lady Bears settled in and posted 22 points against the Longhorns in the third quarter on 69 percent (9-13) from the field. Washington posted 10 points in the third on 3-for-3 from the field and 4-for-4 from the line, while Douglas added eight points on 4-for-5 from the field in the frame.

The Lady Bears knocked down four treys in the game and held the Longhorns to 2-for-9 (.222) from beyond the arc. Texas, a team looking poised to have a shot at winning the national title, forced 19 turnovers and held Mo State to .286 from the field.
 
Missouri State ended its season with its 18^th NCAA Tournament appearance in program history, which marked its 11^th straight postseason appearance. With their win in the First Four round, the Lady Bears have now won an NCAA Tournament game in their last four appearances in the Big Dance and the win over Stephen F. Austin was the program's 20^th.
 
The winning tradition continued as Missouri State posted its ninth-straight 20-win season after going 23-13 overall and won its 12^th conference tournament crown after defeating the top three seeds as the No. 6 seed in the Conference USA Tournament.
 
Missouri State's 36 games this season are the most game played in a single season in program history.
 
Bekemeier finished the season with 1,254 minutes played which is the most in a single season for the Lady Bears. Her 627 points and 295 rebounds this season rank 8^th and 4^th in a single season, respectively. Bekemeier now sits in 24^th on the all-time scoring list with 1,154 career points. Meanwhile, Douglas ranks 7^th in program history with 85 blocks and 5^th in single-season history with 55 blocked shots this season.