TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Kiley Bess led all players with 17 points on an efficient shooting performance Thursday night, but Missouri State escaped Hulman Center with a 59-51 win over Indiana State.
 
Bess was 6-for-7 from the field and a perfect 3-for-3 from behind the arc to go along with a career-high seven rebounds. Bella Finnegan added 11 points for the Sycamores, who led for nearly three-quarters of the game.
 
Indiana State jumped out to a strong start on the offensive end, shooting 50 percent from both the field and 3-point range in the opening quarter to take a 20-15 lead. The Lady Bears whittled Indiana State's advantage down to a pair by the break, though Bess opened the third quarter with a 3-pointer to push the lead back out. Indiana State trailed for less than 30 seconds across the first three quarters, but Missouri State outscored the Sycamores 16-7 in the final 10 minutes to survive a gritty effort from the Blue and White.
  
First Half
Missouri State scored the opening points of the game, but Indiana State quickly rattled off a 6-0 run with baskets from Bess, Chelsea Cain and Ella Sawyer to go in front. The Trees got a quick start from Finnegan with 10 points in the opening frame, including a 3-pointer, while Savannah White knocked down a three just before the buzzer to put Indiana State ahead 20-15 after the opening period.
 
Bess gave the Sycamores their largest lead of the game with a layup to start the second quarter, but Missouri State cut Indiana State's lead down to 23-22 by the midway point of the quarter. Baskets from Keslyn Secrist and Mya Glanton kept the Blue and White in front, with Indiana State pushing its lead back up to six following a free throw from Sawyer. The Sycamores clinged to a 30-28 lead at the intermission.
 
Second Half
Bess opened the third quarter with a three-ball, and Finnegan tacked on a midrange jumper to make it 35-28 less than two minutes into the quarter. Sawyer added a layup midway through, but the Lady Bears battled their way back to even the score. Bess put the Sycamores back in front with a trey, and added another one late to keep Indiana State ahead at the end of the quarter. The Sycamores went into the fourth quarter ahead by a point, 44-43.
 
Missouri State opened the fourth quarter with a 6-0 run and never trailed from that point on. Baskets from Bess and Glanton kept the Sycamores within two possessions, but the Lady Bears took advantage of second chances on the offensive glass to remain in front. Indiana State got within five following a pair of free throws from Cain, but the Sycamores were unable to get closer in a 59-51 setback.
 
News and Notes

• Indiana State presented Ella Sawyer with its annual Brenda Howell Spirit Award prior to Thursday's game. The award is annually given to an Indiana State women's basketball student-athlete who best exemplifies the traits of spirit, determination and positive attitude.
• Kiley Bess had her best game against a conference foe this season, with her 17 points, six field goals and three 3-pointers all representing her most against an MVC opponent, and her seven rebounds being a career-best mark.
• Indiana State's defense put together a gutsy effort, holding Missouri State to just 59 points despite the Lady Bears entering Thursday's game averaging 69.5 points per game overall and 73.8 points per game against conference foes.
• Indiana State was plus-seven in the 22:45 that Ella Sawyer played before fouling out.
• The Sycamores didn't take many 3-pointers, but made the most of their opportunities from distance, hitting on 45.5 percent of their attempts from behind the arc.
• Keslyn Secrist tied her career high of three rebounds that she set last week at Valparaiso, despite playing just 10:30 Thursday.
• Indiana State registered its sixth game this season with five or more blocks, with Mya Glanton and Bella Finnegan both recording multiple rejections Thursday.
• Turnovers proved costly for Indiana State, which had 20 in the contest.

 
Postgame Press Conference Presented by Team Green Law: Kiley Bess and Bella Finnegan


Postgame Press Conference Presented by Team Green Law: Deidra Johnson


Up Next
Indiana State continues its three-game homestand Saturday afternoon against Southern Illinois, with tipoff set for 1 p.m.
 
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