Missouri State Bears Down Murray State 84-69 at Great Southern Bank Arena

The Missouri State Bears drain a season high 13 three pointers and pull away in the second half to beat Murray State 84-69 Tuesday night at Great Southern Bank Arena.

The Bears tied their season high with 20 assists, including seven from senior Donovan Clay.

MSU led from start to finish, getting the scoring started early as Alston Mason hit a trey just 18 seconds into the contest, with Clay adding a three pointer at the 19:03 mark of the half.

The Bears scored the first eight points of the contest, coasting to a 46-34 lead at the half.

The Racers briefly pulled within five, 46-41, with 18:19 left in regulation when Rob Perry hit two free throws, but MSU’s Kendle Moore would later hit back to back three pointers to open up a 16 point lead, 60-44.

Missouri State was able to pull away, maintaining a double digit lead and going up by as many as 21 points.

Clay led the Bears in scoring with 19 points, with Mason adding 18, Kendle Moore 14 and Jonathan Mogbo 12 points.

MSU hit 52% from the field, going 33-64, including 13 of 28 from beyond the arc.

Murray State connected on 12 treys and went 13 of 16 from the free throw line.

The Bears made five of seven free throw attempts and out-rebounded the Racers 36-25.

Missouri State improves its chances of having a winning season, improving to 15-14 overall, 11-8 in the Missouri Valley Conference.

The Bears finish the campaign 10-4 at Great Southern Bank Arena.

Murray State drops to 15-14 overall, 10-9 in the Valley.

The Bears wrap up the regular season Sunday with a 1:00 p.m. game at Indiana State before starting the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis on Thursday, March 2nd.