Saige Stahl scored a career-high 17 points Sunday afternoon as part of her sixth double-double of the season, but visiting Missouri State’s steady offense was too much for Indiana State to overcome in a 73-57 loss inside Hulman Center.
Stahl added a game-high 14 rebounds, while Bella Finnegan added 16 points. Deja Jones finished with six points and eight rebounds for the Sycamores.
Indiana State kept things competitive in the first quarter, Missouri State used a strong start to the second quarter to build a double-digit lead. Back-to-back baskets inside the final minute of the half for the Lady Bears saw the Sycamores trailing 41-27 at the break, and Missouri State extended that lead with the first two baskets of the third quarter. Indiana State rode the hot hands of Stahl and Finnegan in the third quarter, going on a 15-2 run to pull within seven, but the Sycamores never got closer. A 17-5 Lady Bear run spanning parts of the last two quarters put the game out of reach.
First Half
Indiana State got off to a slow start before baskets from Jones and Finnegan got things going for the Blue and White. Stahl and Keslyn Secrist added baskets midway through the frame to keep the Trees within a point, with Stahl tacking on another layup inside the final minute. Indiana State trailed 21-16 after a strong-shooting opening quarter for both teams.
Missouri State opened the second quarter with a 10-2 run to push its lead to double-digits, before baskets from Finnegan and Jones cut into the deficit. Finnegan added four points inside the last two minutes of the frame, but the Sycamores were outscored 20-11 in the second and faced a 41-27 deficit at the intermission.
Second Half
The visitors scored the first four points of the third quarter, and later extended their lead out to 20, but Indiana State battled back. Stahl, Finnegan and Savannah White combined to score 15 of the game’s next 17 points, all of which came from the paint or free throw line, as Indiana State got within 51-44 with less than two minutes. Missouri State closed the quarter strong, though, and took a 58-45 lead to the fourth.
Missouri State carried its momentum into the fourth, with five early points extending the Lady Bear lead to 16. Baskets from White and Stahl cut into the Sycamore deficit, but the visitors found success in the paint to push their lead back up to 20. Stahl and Brar converted from the charity stripe late in the game, but Missouri State led wire-to-wire in a 73-57 setback for the Sycamores.
News and Notes
- Saige Stahl recorded a double-double for the sixth time this season and the second time in the last three games, with her 17 points representing a career high
- Indiana State finished plus-14 (45-31) in rebound margin, which was Missouri State’s worst rebound margin in a game this season. The Lady Bears had won the rebound margin in every game but one entering Sunday’s contest.
- Indiana State outscored Missouri State 18-17 in the third quarter, with the second half margin being just a 32-30 deficit for the Trees.
- Bella Finnegan scored in double-figures for the seventh time in her nine games played this season.
- Indiana State had an 18-7 advantage in second chance points, with the Sycamores also pulling down 17 offensive boards. The Trees have pulled down at least 17 offensive rebounds in each of the last three games.
- Indiana State posted its best game from the free throw line since the start of conference play, with the Sycamores going 18-for 22 (81.8 percent) from the charity stripe.
Up Next
Indiana State heads back on the road to face Murray State Friday night at 7 p.m.
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