The Missouri State Lady Bears pulled away late, beating the Wichita State Shockers 68-55 Wednesday night at JQH Arena.

For three quarters, the contest was close, with neither team able to muster more than a seven point advantage.

There were seven lead changes and three ties in the game.

The Lady Bears held a 29-25 lead at the half, then went up by seven, 38-31, on senior Alexa Willard’s three pointer with 6:04 left in the third quarter.

After the Shockers pulled within one, 41-40, with 1:20 remaining in the third on a layup by Maya Brewer, the Lady Bears went on a 20-1 run to get some breathing room going down the stretch.

Willard led three MSU players in double figures with 14 points, with Brice Calip adding 12, and Jasmine Franklin scoring 11 points and pulling down ten rebounds for a double-double.

Franklin talked about her performance, joined in the postgame press conference by teammate Sydney Wilson, who hit a pair of three pointers.

Brewer’s 14 points led the way for the Shockers, with Mariah McCully scoring 13.

MSU, ranked 22nd in the latest Associated Press Women’s College Basketball poll, improves to 8-1 overall, while the Shockers drop to 4-3.

The Lady Bears have the next ten days off before hosting the Missouri Tigers Sunday, December 15th at JQH Arena.

Tipoff is set for 3:00 p.m.

Game Notes: 

Missouri State out-rebounded Wichita State 42-37, with 30 of those boards coming on the defensive glass.

MSU hit 17 of 22 attempts from the free throw line, while the Shockers made nine in 16 attempts.

Wednesday’s game marked the third time a Lady Bears team held an opponent to no three pointers at JQH Arena and the first since the Little Rock game on December 30th, 2018.

Wednesday’s announced attendance at The Q was 2,064.