SPRINGFIELD, Mo. ? Indiana State had not defeated Missouri State in Springfield since 1976 heading into Saturday night's match up.  However, the Sycamores (7-19, 5-10 MVC) shook off their historical haunts and earned a 76-71 victory over the Bears (10-16, 3-12 MVC) at the new JQH Arena on Valentine's Day.

ISU jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead after a jumper by Jay Tunnell at the 17:12 mark.  That lead would later widen to nine points at 13-4 after a jumper by Carl Richard.  However, Missouri State came right back with a 15-5 run, capped off by a jumper by Chris Cooks, to take a 19-18 lead over the Sycamores with 9:56 remaining in the first half.

The Bears widened that lead to 24-18 after a three pointer by Spencer Laurie at the 7:03 mark, before a jumper by Rashad Reed and two free throws from Aaron Carter cut the lead to two at 24-22 with 5:11 left to go.  Missouri State came right back and extended the lead to seven points at 33-26 after Kyle Weems converted on the traditional three-point play with just over two minutes remaining in the half. 

The lead stayed at seven after another jumper by Cooks with 52 seconds remaining in the half, but two free throws from Reed cut the lead to five in favor of the Bears at halftime 35-30.  The Sycamores shot 44 percent in the first half compared to 50 percent for the Bears, but took the advantage at the free throw line shooting a perfect 7-for-7 from the charity stripe.

Coming out of the locker room, Missouri State controlled the momentum early and widened the lead to seven points at 39-32 with 18:48 left on the clock after a free throw from Cooks.  However, that point would be the last for the Bears for almost three minutes as the Sycamores answered with a 15-0 run to take a 47-39 lead at the 16:06 mark.

Harry Marshall got the run started with a jumper and Reed chipped in back-to-back three pointers to put the Sycamores up by one.  Marshall then made a layup and hit two free throws after being intentionally fouled on the layup by Cooks to give ISU a five-point advantage.  The run was capped off by a three pointer from Richard as ISU regained control of the game.

The Bears clawed back into the game and cut the ISU lead to two at 51-49, but the Sycamores answered with six straight points to go back up by eight at 57-49 after jumper by Jordan Printy with 10:58 remaining in the game. 

ISU held as much as a nine-point advantage at the 6:22 mark after a jumper by Tunnell, but the Bears would cut the lead to one at 68-67 after a three pointer by Justin Fuehrmeyer with 3:34 left in the game.  After a jumper by Printy put the Sycamores back up by three points, a bucket by Weems and two free throws from Wade Knapp gave the Bears 71-70 lead with 1:01 left on the clock. 

Tunnell answered with two free throws of his own to give the Sycamores a 72-71 lead with 44 seconds remaining.  On Missouri State's next possession, Cooks missed a jumper and Knapp had a shot at a tip-in after the offensive rebounds but the shot missed and Richard was fouled to give ISU the ball back for a one-and-one.

Still holding onto the one-point advantage, Richard missed the free throw with 17 seconds left on the clock and Laurie got a good look at a three pointer but it missed and Marshall corralled the rebound and was fouled with four seconds left on the clock.

Marshall made both free throws to put ISU up 74-71, which led Missouri State head coach Cuonzo Martin to call a time out.  On the ensuing possession, Weems had a look at a three pointer from the top of the key but Richard got a piece of the ball and Marshall came up with the loose ball and was fouled.  After two more makes from the line with a second remaining, the Sycamores picked up the 76-71 victory over the Bears.

Marshall led all scorers with 19 points, 16 of which came in the second half, to go along with five assists and four rebounds for the Sycamores.  Reed finished with 14 points and three rebounds and Tunnell added 13 points and six rebounds to continue his strong play of late.  Printy rounded out a quartet of Sycamores in double figures with 10 points while adding seven rebounds and five assists.  Richard just missed out on the fourth double-double of his career, as he scored nine points while grabbing 10 rebounds in the win.

The Sycamores return to action on Wednesday, when they hit the road to complete the regular season series against the Southern Illinois Salukis.  Tip off is set for 8:05 p.m. EST at SIU Arena, with the game being televised live on WTWO in the Wabash Valley.