SPRINGFIELD, Mo--The Missouri State Lady Bears were back in action Thursday night at JQH Arena.
The Lady Bears with the first of a two game homestand taking on Oral Roberts.
Missouri State has won three of the last four meetings between the two.
The Golden Eagles featuring senior sharp shooter Kevi Luper, she averages 20 points a game.
Missouri State off to a quick start, Hannah Wilkerson with the jumper that rattles in it's 6-4.
Then the Lady Bears getting it inside to Tulsa native Christiana Shorter is triple teamed but still horses it in, it's 12-7 Missouri State.
Oral Roberts started to heat up, Kevi Luper with the hoop it's a two point game.
Later Missouri State on the run, Tyonna Snow nice bounce pass to Kenzie Williams for the layup, it's 25-19 Lady Bears.
Luper had a big night, this hoop gives Oral Roberts the lead, they led 30-29 at halftime.
Second half Luper with another basket and the Golden Eagles built a big lead 50-42.
Lady Bears rally, the break to Whitney Edie she gets the hoop and we're tied at 65 going into overtime.
In the OT, Luper again with another three, she finished with a JQH Arena record 40.
But the Lady Bears would not quit, Kenzie Williams on the drive, Missouri State wins in overtime 73-72.
"They don't put ugly in the win column. But it was one ugly game. Somehow we found a way. As disappointed as I was with some of the things that we did or didn't do. I'm very, very proud of our guts, our grit, our fight," said Lady Bears coach Nyla Milleson.
---------------------------
SPRINGFIELD, Mo--Boys high school basketball Thursday night, the Kickapoo Chiefs starting their Tip-Off Classic.
The Chiefs hosting Reeds Spring.
And Kickapoo's defense setting up the offense, Chris Ward feeds Jack Simpson for the hoop and the harm, it's 3-nothing Kickapoo.
Then Simpson pays him back, the inbounds to Ward for the hook shot it's 5-nothing out of the blocks.
Reeds Spring trying to keep pace, Austin Selby stops and pops at the free throw line, Wolves down five.
Later more Kickapoo defense, the steal and the pass to Simpson, Kickapoo led this 21-4 after one quarter.
And the Chiefs win 72-25.
---------------------------
SPRINGFIELD, Mo--The Evangel Crusaders tipped off Heart of America Conference action Thursday night at home against Central Methodist.
The Crusaders started conference play ranked 21st in the nation in the NAIA rankings.
And the Eagles come into the action at 6-4.
But it's the Crusaders who open the scoring first.
Stephen Cotton's shot is off, junior transfer J.J. Williams gets it the board, drives, and finishes with the up and under.
EU leads 4-nothing.
Later, inbounds, Jordan Fielding to Zach Kleine, pulls up from the elbow.
And that's how you draw it up.
Evangel leads 11-9.
But CMU would change that.
Eric Franklin to Michael Bank Jr, straight through the net.
Eagles lead now 12-11.
Other end, Fielding get the pass at the top of the arc, that's good for three.
Game's tied at 14 all.
Just before the half, Williams drives, kicks out to Brodie Wingert, former Kickapoo Chief gets the three to fall.
Crusaders go up 22-20.
But Central Methodist rallies to win 59-56.
In the womens game, Evangel wins 63-57.
---------------------------
