The Missouri State Lady Bears forced a season-high of 16 steals and 31 turnovers to beat visiting Southern Illinois 81-61 at JQH Arena today during the Play4Kay game.

Play4Kay, named for former North Carolina State women’s coach Kay Yow, is a breast cancer awareness themed game. The Lady Bears wore pink jerseys, referees blew pink whistles, the visiting Salukis sported pink Nike shoes and the first 500 fans at JQH Arena received a free pink t-shirt.  The event raises money for the Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks.

Missouri State won its eighth consecutive game for the team’s longest streak since winning 18 straight in the 2003-04 season.

Student workers sell breast cancer merchandise in front of JQH Arena prior to the game on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012.

The visiting Salukis sport pink Nike basketball shoes while lined up for the national anthem on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012 at JQH Arena.

JQH Arena is peppered with pink shirts worn by Lady Bear fans on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012 at JQH Arena.

MSU’s Jaleshia Roberson hits a lay up in the first half on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012 at JQH Arena.

SIU head coach Missy Tiber yells in the official’s ear after her team was fouled during the first half on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012 at JQH Arena.

MSU’s Jaleshia Roberson grabs a loose ball as two SIU defenders run into each other on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012 at JQH Arena.

The officials were given pink whistles in honor of breast cancer survivors on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012 at JQH Arena.

MSU’s Christiana Shorter scores from under the basket on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012 at JQH Arena.

MSU players hug several breast cancer survivors after they won their game on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012 at JQH Arena.