Lady Bears Dropped by Creighton in MVC Semifinal

The Missouri State Lady Bears held a comfortable early lead before a series of dry spells that helped Creighton’s rally in the second half as they lost 56-47 this afternoon during the MVC Tournament semifinal round at The Family Arena in St. Charles, Mo.

The game included MSU season lows in points (47), shooting percentage (.299) and three-pointers (0).

Creighton’s Carli Tritz proved to be the game changer as she scored 27 of her career-high 29 points in the second half. Casey Garrison led MSU with 18 points and was the only player in double digits.

MSU now waits for NCAA and WNIT selections which will be announced Monday, March 12.

MSU head coach Nyla Milleson is greeted by the pep band while leaving the hotel prior to the game on Saturday, March 10, 2012.

Creighton head coach Jim Flanery high-fives fans before taking the floor on Saturday, March 10, 2012.

MSU’s Bry Snow drives the ball to the hoop on Saturday, March 10, 2012.

Creighton fans cheer on the Bluejays on Saturday, March 10, 2012.

MSU’s Jasmine Malone, left, and Bry Snow, right, steal the ball on Saturday, March 10, 2012.

MSU’s Karly Buer’s shot is blocked by Creighton’s Sarah Nelson on Saturday, March 10, 2012.

MSU’s Jaleshia Roberson reacts after missing a three-pointer on Saturday, March 10, 2012.

Creighton’s Carli Tritz, 21, who made a basket and was fouled on the same play, celebrates with teammates on Saturday, March 10, 2012.

MSU head coach Nyla Milleson talks to the Lady Bears after the game about her frustrations on Saturday, March 10, 2012.

Lacey Boshe, Karly Buer, Nyla Milleson and Casey Garrison hold somber expressions as they answer the media’s questions in the postgame press conference on Saturday, March 10, 2012.

Lady Bears Sneak Past Bradley to Advance to MVC Semifinal

The top-seeded Lady Bears trailed most of their MVC Tournament quarterfinal game against Bradley, but sophomore guard Karly Buer converted four free throws in the last 61 seconds to steal a 58-54 victory today at The Family Arena in St. Charles, Mo.

Buer led MSU with 17 points and Garrison contributed 15.

Missouri State plays No. 4 Creighton in the semifinals at 1:35 p.m. tomorrow which will be televised on Fox Sports Midwest.

Missouri State Sugar Bears fix each other’s hair in the restroom prior to the game on Friday, March 9, 2012 at The Family Arena in St. Charles, Mo.

The Bradley Braves take the floor prior to their warmup on Friday, March 9, 2012 at The Family Arena in St. Charles, Mo.

Missouri State’s Karly Buer shakes the opponent’s hand before a pregame huddle on Friday, March 9, 2012 at The Family Arena in St. Charles, Mo.

Missouri State’s Whitney Edie gathers a lose ball under the hoop on Friday, March 9, 2012 at The Family Arena in St. Charles, Mo.

Missouri State’s Jasmine Malone goes up for a basket on Friday, March 9, 2012 at The Family Arena in St. Charles, Mo.

Bradley’s Lauren Niemiera strips MSU’s Aly Stock of the ball on Friday, March 9, 2012 at The Family Arena in St. Charles, Mo.

The Bradley bench celebrates one of their three-pointers on Friday, March 9, 2012 at The Family Arena in St. Charles, Mo.

Fans try to pump up the team late in the second half on Friday, March 9, 2012 at The Family Arena in St. Charles, Mo.

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Missouri State’s Aly Stock, center, cheers on her team late in the second half on Friday, March 9, 2012 at The Family Arena in St. Charles, Mo.

Missouri State’s Jasmine Malone comes up with a rebound to give the Lady Bears possession for the final minute of play on Friday, March 9, 2012 at The Family Arena in St. Charles, Mo.

Aly Stock, left, and Regan Soldner, center, celebrate their big victory over Bradley with Jasmine Malone, right, after the game in the locker room on Friday, March 9, 2012 at The Family Arena in St. Charles, Mo.

Murphy and Bears Lasso Cowboys in Home Opener

Junior pitcher Clay Murphy’s first career complete game with eight strike outs propelled the Bears past Oklahoma State 5-2 today at Hammons Field which extends their winning streak to five games.

After senior Brock Chaffin built early momentum with a lead-off double in the second to give MSU its first hit of the day, sophomore Trey Massenberg smacked the ball over the fence good for his first career two-run homer.

The Cowboys lessened the early blow with a homer of their own by Jared Womack in the third and pulled another run in during the fourth before MSU took over the rest of the game.

A young girl follows her father by holding onto his Pujols jersey before entering the ticket gate on Tuesday, March 5, 2012 at Hammons Field.

MSU head coach Keith Guttin, right, discusses with the umpires where playable areas are around the field before the start of the home opener on Tuesday, March 5, 2012 at Hammons Field.

OSU senior Jared Womack miscalculates a foul ball on Tuesday, March 5, 2012 at Hammons Field.

Keenan Maddix, right, and Brock Chaffin, center, greet Trey Massenberg at home plate after his two-run home run on Tuesday, March 5, 2012 at Hammons Field.

Sophomore Trey Massenberg misses a home run ball in the third inning on Tuesday, March 5, 2012 at Hammons Field.

Freshman Dylan Becker misses a ball in the outfield on Tuesday, March 5, 2012 at Hammons Field.

Fellow pitcher Grant Gordon, right, and teammates congratulate pitcher Clay Murphy on his complete game victory over OSU on Tuesday, March 5, 2012 at Hammons Field.

Winning Streak Snapped on Lady Bear Senior Night

The Missouri State Lady Bears never led tonight against the Bradley Braves as they lost 86-69 in the regular-season finale and senior night at JQH Arena.

Karly Buer led MSU with 15 points, Shorter tallied 13 and Whitney Edie scored her season-high of 13 points.

With the loss, the Lady Bears dropped to 21-7 overall and 14-4 against conference opponents but still claim the No. 1 seed into next weekend’s MVC Tournament in St. Charles, Mo.

Jasmine Malone gets a kiss on the cheek from her father during Senior Day festivities on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at JQH Arena.

Jaleshia Roberson is accompanied by her son Ja’Dyn who waved to the cheering crowd during Senior Day festivities on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at JQH Arena.

Sophomore Karly Buer is introduced prior to the game on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at JQH Arena.

Bradley sophomore Kelsey Budd attempts to keep the ball in play on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at JQH Arena.

Senior Lacey Boshe glides past defenders to score a layup on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at JQH Arena.

Senior Casey Garrison reacts to the referee after a foul she committed on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at JQH Arena.

Three children eat snow cones while sitting in “the best seats in the house” on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at JQH Arena.

Whitney Edie drives the ball to the hoop on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at JQH Arena.

Christiana Shorter beats a Bradley defender to the ball along the sideline on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at JQH Arena.

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Senior Casey Garrison can’t control her emotion during her Senior Day speech on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at JQH Arena.

Senior Jasmine Malone cuts a piece of the net after the Lady Bears won the MVC regular season on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at JQH Arena.

Senior Reagen Soldner, center, and other senior Lady Bears receive hugs from their teammates after the game on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at JQH Arena.

Evansville Spoils Bears’ Tournament Hopes in Quarterfinals

The third time was the charm for the Evansville Purple Aces as they sent the Bears packing after only one game of the State Farm Missouri Valley Tournament, losing 72-64.

“Definitely not a good feeling losing to a team three times,” senior Kyle Weems said.

Evansville controlled momentum throughout the entire game, while the Bears only led one time before playing catchup until time expired.

Senior Kyle Weems played his final MVC Tournament like his usual self, scoring 23 points for his 21st career 20-point game.

MSU closed their season with five straight losses giving them a 16-16 record and a 9-9 regular season conference record to earn the sixth seed in the tournament.

The Bears will now wait for postseason tournament announcements for the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) and College Basketball Invitational (CBI) to determine if they will continue play.

Fans fill the arena prior during a Missouri Valley Conference tournament game between Indiana State and Creighton on Friday, March 2, 2012, at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis.

The Missouri State Bears line up for the national anthem during a Missouri Valley Conference tournament game between Evansville and Missouri State on Friday, March 2, 2012, at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis.

Anthony Downing pumps up his team prior to a Missouri Valley Conference tournament game between Evansville and Missouri State on Friday, March 2, 2012, at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis.

Jamar Gulley grabs a rebound during a Missouri Valley Conference tournament game between Evansville and Missouri State on Friday, March 2, 2012, at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis.

Kyle Weems drives the ball to the hoop during a Missouri Valley Conference tournament game between Evansville and Missouri State on Friday, March 2, 2012, at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis.

Troy Taylor shoots a basket during a Missouri Valley Conference tournament game between Evansville and Missouri State on Friday, March 2, 2012, at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis.

An MSU fan complain to the referees about foul calls during a Missouri Valley Conference tournament game between Evansville and Missouri State on Friday, March 2, 2012, at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis.

Kenneth Harris steals the ball from Kyle Weems during a Missouri Valley Conference tournament game between Evansville and Missouri State on Friday, March 2, 2012, at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis.

Troy Taylor shoots a basket past Caleb Patterson during a Missouri Valley Conference tournament game between Evansville and Missouri State on Friday, March 2, 2012, at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis.

MSU head coach Paul Lusk shows his frustration to his bench players during a Missouri Valley Conference tournament game between Evansville and Missouri State on Friday, March 2, 2012, at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis.

Kenneth Harris flips the ball up over Nathan Scheer during a Missouri Valley Conference tournament game between Evansville and Missouri State on Friday, March 2, 2012, at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis.

Michael Bizoukas grabs a lose ball during a Missouri Valley Conference tournament game between Evansville and Missouri State on Friday, March 2, 2012, at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis.

Nathan Scheer reacts after fouling out and losing the game on Friday, March 2, 2012, at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis.

Lady Bears Clinch MVC Regular-Season Championship

The Missouri State Lady Bears beat Northern Iowa 80-68 tonight at JQH Arena, earning their ninth Missouri Valley Conference regular-season championship in school history.

The hot Lady Bears stretched their win streak to 11 and took sole ownership of the championship as they were in a tie with Wichita State prior to tonight’s contest.

I love shooting high emotion games like this, no matter what sport (people do not give women’s sports enough credit). It always makes for some great faces.

Senior Jasmine Malone, center, pumps up the team during their pregame chant on Thursday, March 1, 2012 at JQH Arena.

Sophomore Desiree Phillips loses the ball under the hoop on Thursday, March 1, 2012 at JQH Arena.

Senior Jaleshia Roberson, who scored 22 points, reacts after scoring a three-pointer and being fouled on the play on Thursday, March 1, 2012 at JQH Arena.

UNI head coach Tanya Warren complains to the ref for not calling a foul on Thursday, March 1, 2012 at JQH Arena.

Evan Hager, center, and members of the Lady Bears cheering section taunt the UNI bench on Thursday, March 1, 2012 at JQH Arena.

Senior Casey Garrison watches a UNI offender lose track of the ball on Thursday, March 1, 2012 at JQH Arena.

Senior Lacey Boshe, who was honored tonight for her Academic All-American achievement, puts up a basket on Thursday, March 1, 2012 at JQH Arena.

Fans catch a free shirt during the t-shirt toss during a timeout on Thursday, March 1, 2012 at JQH Arena.

Jasmine Malone, left, and Christiana Shorter, center, react after clinching the MVC regular-season championship on Thursday, March 1, 2012 at JQH Arena.

Jaleshia Roberson, 23, and Casey Garrison, 5, hug one another after clinching the MVC regular-season championship on Thursday, March 1, 2012 at JQH Arena.

Steph Anderson | Photojournalist

Monthly Archives: March 2012