Missouri State freshman Chris Kendrix scored game highs with 20 points and eight rebounds to help lift the Bears (10-17, 4-11 MVC) to a 60-56 Missouri Valley Conference victory over visiting Indiana State on Wednesday and snap a four-game conference losing streak.
The Bears also got 16 points from Dorrian Williams and six rebounds from Loomis Gerring.
Gerring’s two free throws with 31.1 seconds to play gave the Bears a 59-56 lead at the time, while the junior notched two key rebounds in the final 71 seconds to help seal the victory.
Indiana State (13-14, 9-6) missed its last four field goal attempts on the night, including a potential game-tying three-pointer by Khristian Smith with 7.6 seconds to go. Kendrix gathered in the rebound and was fouled by the Sycamores with just under four second remaining. After missing the first, the Willard, Missouri native hit the second free throw to put the game out of reach and secure his first 20-point game.