SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State trailed by 20 points with 12 minutes remaining before mounting a furious comeback down the stretch and draw within two points of the lead in the final minute before succumbing to CUSA leader Liberty, 79-76, here Saturday.
The Bears (13-10, 7-5 CUSA) got a game-high 25 points from Keith Palek, including three triples, to go with 9 rebounds. MSU also got 16 points and 9 boards from Michael Osei-Bonsu and 11 points from Kobi Williams.
Brett Decker paced four Liberty players in double figures with 20 points, while Zach Cleveland produced a triple-double with 19 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists, in leading the Flames (20-3, 12-0 CUSA) to the 20-win mark…