Keith Palek III scored a season-high 29 points for Missouri State, but the team fell short in a close 72-70 loss to Louisiana Tech on Thursday. The game, held in Ruston, saw Louisiana Tech secure the win with two second-chance baskets in the final minute.
Louisiana Tech was led by DJ Dudley, who scored 27 points. Dudley’s offensive rebound and put-back with less than a minute remaining broke a tie at 68. Palek responded for Missouri State with a mid-range jumper that tied the score again at 70 with just over half a minute left.
With eight seconds remaining, Will Allen grabbed a rebound after Scooter Williams Jr.’s shot was blocked by Darrion Sutton of Missouri State. Allen converted the go-ahead basket for Louisiana Tech. Missouri State was unable to get off another shot before turning it over with three seconds left and then fouled Allen, who missed both free throws. Michael Osei-Bonsu collected his tenth rebound on the final play, but his long-distance attempt missed as time expired.
Missouri State made 83.3 percent of its free throws (20-of-24) and out-rebounded Louisiana Tech 35-29. Palek finished shooting 10-of-19 from the field, including two three-pointers, along with six rebounds and three assists. Trey Williams Jr. had five assists to lead all players, while Kobi Williams contributed 14 points, three assists and three steals.
The Bears led by six points midway through the second half after Trey Williams hit a three-pointer to make it 60-54. However, they were unable to hold onto their lead in the closing minutes and have now lost six consecutive games.
Missouri State shot 40.7 percent from the field (22-of-54), made six of seventeen from beyond the arc (35.3 percent), recorded nine steals and committed fourteen turnovers.
Louisiana Tech shot 48 percent overall (24-of-50), went nine-for-twenty-five from deep (36 percent), and made fifteen of twenty-four free throws (62.5 percent). They also tallied eleven blocks—seven coming from Melian Martinez—and forced fourteen turnovers while making eight steals.
In the first half, Missouri State overcame an early eleven-point deficit after Louisiana Tech opened strong from three-point range. An eight-point run initiated by Kobi Williams helped tie the game at twenty midway through the period. The teams traded leads several times before halftime; Kobi Williams’ late three-pointer gave Missouri State a one-point advantage at intermission.
Missouri State will complete its Conference USA road trip Saturday against Sam Houston before returning home for games on March 5 against WKU and March 7 versus Middle Tennessee.
Tickets for upcoming home games can be purchased online at https://missouristatebears.com/tickets or via phone through the MSU Athletics Box Office at Great Southern Bank Arena during regular office hours.
Information about season promotions and ticket specials is available at https://missouristatebears.com/promotions.
