Missouri State WBB Falls to Sam Houston, 74-67 | Next Game at LA Tech

HUNTSVILLE, Texas – Missouri State women’s basketball (15-9, 7-4 CUSA) faced a 74-67 defeat at the hands of Sam Houston (15-7, 8-3 CUSA) on Thursday night. The Lady Bears, despite a strong start, were ultimately hampered by a significant disparity in fouls and turnovers.

A Tale of Two Halves

Missouri State led by nine points at halftime and extended that advantage to 12 early in the third quarter, fueled by strong performances from Kaemyn Bekemeier and Lainie Douglas. However, Sam Houston mounted a comeback, closing the third quarter with a 14-3 run to tie the game.

Key Performances

Kaemyn Bekemeier led all scorers with a double-double, recording 21 points and 10 rebounds. Lainie Douglas also achieved a double-double, contributing 14 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Faith Lee added 13 points to the Lady Bears’ total.

Did You Know? Missouri State out-rebounded Sam Houston 47-26, demonstrating a clear advantage in securing possessions.

Turnovers and Fouls Prove Decisive

The game’s momentum shifted in the second half due to a significant increase in fouls called against Missouri State – 21 in the second half alone. This, combined with a total of 28 turnovers for the game, allowed Sam Houston to capitalize with 41 points off those errors. The Bearkats, in contrast, were awarded 33 free throw attempts compared to Missouri State’s 17.

A Close Final Quarter

The fourth quarter remained competitive, with the lead changing hands multiple times. Kendal Brueggen’s three-pointer briefly brought Missouri State within one point, but Sam Houston responded with crucial free throws and a late-game triple to secure their victory.

Expert Insight: The high number of turnovers and fouls committed by Missouri State ultimately undermined their strong rebounding performance and early lead, highlighting the importance of disciplined play in a closely contested conference matchup.

Looking Ahead

Missouri State will quickly return to action, traveling to face first-place Louisiana Tech on Saturday, February 14th. The game is scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. Tip-off and will be streamed on ESPN+. It can also be heard on 93.7 FM The Stage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the final score of the game?

The final score was Sam Houston 74, Missouri State 67.

Who led Missouri State in scoring?

Kaemyn Bekemeier led Missouri State with 21 points.

When and where is Missouri State’s next game?

Missouri State’s next game is on Saturday, February 14th, at Louisiana Tech at 1:00 p.m.

Given the challenges presented by turnovers and foul trouble, what adjustments might Missouri State make to improve their performance in upcoming games?