Springfield Standard

Missouri State University opened its men's basketball season with a win over Missouri Southern, finishing 88-70 at home on Tuesday. The Bears were led by Michael Osei-Bonsu, who scored 22 points and secured a career-high 14 rebounds, including 10 on the offensive end. This performance marked his ninth double-double as a Bear. Keith Palek III contributed 21 points, while Kobi Williams and freshman Trey Williams Jr. added 14 and 10 points respectively.

Missouri Southern's top scorer was Tyrone Wright with 21 points, followed by Jaden Taylor with 14. The Lions are coached by Sam McMahon, a former Missouri State staff member.

After trailing by three at halftime, Missouri State started the second half with a strong run. Palek made an early layup to give the Bears the lead and scored nine points within five minutes, helping his team pull ahead to 53-46 just under five minutes into the period.

The Bears maintained their lead until midway through the second half when their defense increased pressure. With ten minutes left in the game, Missouri State went on a 20-6 run over six minutes to extend their advantage to 80-61 with just over four minutes remaining. During this stretch, Osei-Bonsu scored six points; Trey Williams Jr. and Darrion Sutton each added four.

Sutton finished with nine points and eight rebounds off the bench. His short jumper gave Missouri State its largest lead of the night at 84-63 with just over three minutes left.

Defensively, Missouri State limited Missouri Southern to just over 28 percent shooting in the second half and only one successful three-pointer out of twelve attempts. The Bears collected thirty rebounds during this period while allowing only four second-chance points from their opponents.

Osei-Bonsu also led his team in assists with five and added three blocks and two steals while shooting eleven-for-fifteen from the field.

Overall, Missouri State shot just over forty-one percent from the field (33-of-79), about sixteen percent from beyond the arc (5-of-31), and eighty-one percent from the free throw line (17-of-21). They outrebounded Missouri Southern fifty-three to forty-two and converted twenty-one offensive rebounds into twenty-four second-chance points. The Bears committed eight turnovers for the game.

Missouri Southern finished nearly forty percent from the field (29-of-73), about twenty-six percent from three-point range (6-of-23), and fifty percent at the free throw line (6-of-12) with twelve turnovers.

The Lions led at halftime after shooting fifty-three percent in the first half and building up to a ten-point lead before Missouri State closed out on a strong run led by Osei-Bonsu’s efforts.

Missouri State continues its home stand Saturday against Northwestern Oklahoma State at Great Southern Bank Arena. Tickets for upcoming games can be purchased online at https://missouristatebears.com/tickets or in person at the arena box office during regular hours. Information about season promotions is available at https://missouristatebears.com/promotions.