SPRINGFIELD–As for Beth Cunningham and the Missouri State Lady Bears, they had their hands full as well Sunday, hosting the fast, physical Racers of Murray State, who were out for revenge after losing to MSU two weeks ago at home.
With 4 minutes to go in the first, Mo State up 3, Angel Scott with the bounce pass to Louis Volker for the layup.
But right before the period ends, Murray State ties the game at 19 thanks to Katelyn Young’s putback.
In the 2nd, both teams found a rhythm. Paige Rocca launches a triple that falls. MSU in front by 1.
Next Racers possession, uh oh, some didn’t take care of the ball. Lacy Stokes steal and finish. Lady Bears led by 5 at halftime.
Kyrah Daniels had herself a game. She dropped 18 points thanks to hitting 4 of 5 trey balls for mo-state. Her three pointer in the third made it a 3-point MSU edge.
But the Racers wouldn’t go away. Every time the Lady Bears hit a big bucket, Murray State fired right back, like this triple by Bria Sanders-Woods.
The real fireworks though came in the 4th. As these two teams combined to score 57 points in a ferocious back and forth. Rocca’s three inside 8 minutes made it 72-69 MSU.