Jarmar Gulley led the Missouri State Bears with 14 points and six rebounds, and Marcus Marshall scored eight, but the Bears were overmatched by the defending national champion Louisville Cardinals, who had four players in double figures. Missouri State fell 90-60 in front of 21,335 at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, KY.
Louisville got a game high 17 from Montrezl Harrell and 11 apiece by fellow starters Wayne Blackshear, Terry Rozier and Russ Smith.
The Bears were down 23 at the break, and only managed to cut the Louisville lead to 17 with 11:09 to play before the Cardinals went on a 7-0 run to build the lead to 69-45.
Missouri State returns home Saturday to play Alabama A&M (3-5) in a 7:05 p.m.