Missouri State (12-4, 2-2 MVC) held a 19-point lead with 12 minute to play on Saturday night, but 6th ranked Wichita State fought back and forced overtime before beat the Bears 72-69 on Saturday night before the third-largest crowd ever at JQH Arena.
Fred VanVleet scored 7 of his 16 points in overtime and WSU teammate Cleanthony Early recorded a game-high 22 points with 14 rebounds, and Ron Baker added 15.
MSU got its first double-double of the season from standout senior Jarmar Gulley who scored 15 points and grabbed a career-high 14 rebounds for the Bears who led 54-35 with 11:48 to go. Austin Ruder went 5-for-8 from 3-point range to finish with 17 points, while Marcus Marshall added 15.
Missouri State had a four-point lead with a minute in regulation when a block was called on Nathan Sheer with 47.7 seconds left. VanVleet converted the three-point play to make it a 64-63 game. MSU turned the ball over on their next possession and Marshall then fouled VanVleet on his drive to the bucket, and he hit one-of-two from the line with seconds to go.
With the game tied, 64-64, the Bears set up the final play of regulation, but Dorrian Williams’ 17-footer at the horn fell short, sending the game into overtime.