Springfield, MO (Sports Network) - Marcus Marshall tallied 14 points to help
the Missouri State Bears hang on for a 62-61 victory over the Evansville
Purple Aces in a Missouri Conference thriller at JQH Arena.
Christian Kirk chipped in 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting from the floor off the
bench for Missouri State (7-16, 5-6 MVC) and Nathan Scheer provided 11 points
as the Bears collected their second win in three games.
Colt Ryan paced Evansville (13-10, 6-5) with a game-high 24 points and Ned Cox
added 12 points to go along with four assists.
Neither side could gain too great of an advantage in the opening stanza.
Evansville was able to make just 35.7 percent of its field goal tries, but it
took a narrow, 24-23, lead into halftime after limiting the Bears to 27.3
percent shooting in the first half.
The Purple Aces were in rhythm in the early stages of the second stanza and
Ryan knocked down a jumper to give them a 38-27 with 14:56 left to play.
Missouri State chipped away at the deficit until Scheer connected on a triple
to give it a 59-57 edge on the scoreboard with only 2:45 showing on the
game clock. Evansville managed to jump back in front by two points, but
Anthony Downing answered with a make from beyond the arc that put the Bears up
by a point. Lewis Jones, Ryan, and Cox all missed jumpers as time winded down
which sealed the win for Missouri State.
The Bears outscored Evansville, 19-10, at the free throw line and also, 30-10,
in bench points.
GAME NOTES:
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