Box Score
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Senior forward Jasmine Grier matched a season-high 21 points but Indiana State couldn't hold off Missouri State as it fell 65-56 on Thursday evening. Indiana State moves to 17-11 overall and 7-10 in Missouri Valley Conference play.
Grier posted her 14th game in double figures this season and also grabbed seven rebounds. Senior forward Chelsea Small and redshirt sophomore Joyea Marshall each chipped in 12 points. Small also added three blocks, three assists, two steals and committed no turnovers in 28 minutes of action.
The Sycamores shot just 33.3 percent from the floor on the evening and committed 16 turnovers, which led to 14 Missouri State points. ISU also grabbed just four steals, under their season average of 10.4 which leads the Valley this season.
It was also a rare night for the ISU bench, who contributed 19 points, less than their 29.0 average.
Indiana State came out with an early four point advantage after Smith and Grier combined for buckets. The two teams played tight throughout the first half as Missouri State tied it up at 18-18 at the under four media timeout.
Missouri State took a two point lead after a pair of bonus free throws and then took its largest lead of the half with 2:16 left on the clock as Liza Fruendt connected from long range.
Grier matched it with the first three pointer of the evening with 2 minutes left to play in the opening half and forced a Missouri State timeout.
Out of the break, Missouri State held a lead until Grier nailed another triple to tie things up with 17:26 left in the contest.
The Bears got a break as a result of Sycamore miscues as it stretched its lead to nine with 12:12 to play. Things didn't get better for the Sycamores as Grier was slapped for a technical with 10:56 to play and the Bears' went ahead by 14.
Indiana State chipped away on buckets by Marshall and Grier went along with a pair of free throw shots by Dirks to come back within even. However, MSU went on a 10-3 run and back to a double-digit lead.
Small made the move inside the paint and made it a 10 point game with 48 seconds remaining but it was too little, too late as Missouri State completed the series sweep.
Indiana State wraps up the regular season on Saturday afternoon as it welcomes Wichita State for Senior Day at 2:05 p.m. A pregame ceremony will begin at approximately 1:45 p.m. to honor the seven Indiana State seniors – Travecia Franklin, Jasmine Grier, Lashonda Littleton, Racheal Mahan, Chelsea Small, Stephanie Wittman and Natasha Zurek. A senior video will be shown post game on the Hulman Center video board.
For the latest information on the Sycamore Women's Basketball team, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
