Missouri State got at least six points from all 11 players in uniform to roll past visiting Missouri-St. Louis Monday night in the exhibition season opener for both clubs, 84-48.

The Bears led by as many as 40 points midway through the second half.

MSU outscored UMSL by just seven points, 34-27, in the second half, but needed only maintain the momentum built by a 31-point halftime lead to secure the win before 3,832 fans at JQH Arena.

The Bears shot 52.3-percent for the game and outrebounded the Tritons by a 47-27 margin, forcing 22 total turnovers.

The Bears made just five of their first 22 shots to start the game, but managed to build a 13-8 lead with solid defensive pressure and rebounding.

A jumper by Isaiah Rhine at the 12:13 mark of the first half seemed to spark the home squad, and back-to-back three-pointers by Kyle Weems followed to extend the MSU advantage to 21-8.  MSU closed out the first half by making 16 of their final 19 shots to enjoy a 31 point lead advantage, 52-21.

The team balance was the storyline in the preseason tune-up from the Bears' perspective.

Freshman Michael Porter led MSU with 12 points on a 5-for-8 shooting effort, while Weems and transfer Nafis Ricks each scored nine.  With the game seemingly in hand, Weems played just four minutes in the second half and did not add to his nine-point effort in the first half.

Also adding points for the Bears were Rhine, Will Creekmore, and freshmen Jerome Jones and Keith Pickens with eight points each.

Transfer Jermaine Mallett scored six points and grabbed a game-high nine rebounds, while Adam Leonard, Caleb Patterson, and Ryan Jehle also added six points for MSU.

The Bears return to exhibition play next Tuesday at JQH Arena against Henderson State University at 7:05 p.m.