Missouri State (9-13, 5-5 MVC) was down seven in overtime, but thanks to a 22 point effort from Dequon Miller and a big finish by freshman Jarred Dixon, the Bears rallied past visiting Illinois State 84-81, in Missouri Valley Conference play.
Miller knocked down his sixth three-pointer of the game with 2.2 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 72 and force the extra period.
In overtime, ISU (12-11, 6-4) scored the first seven points before a three-pointer by MSU freshman Ryan Kreklow got the Bears going. Chris Kendrix made a pair of foul shots moments later to bring the Bears back within 79-77, and then ISU answered with a pair of foul shots by Paris Lee at the two-minute mark. Then Jarred Dixon took over.
The freshman from Kansas City owned the final two minutes of the game — hitting a three, drawing a charge, and scoring the go-ahead bucket with 71 seconds to go to give the Bears an 82-81 lead. Dixon then grabbed two rebounds in the final minute and iced the win with a pair of free throws with 2.3 seconds left in overtime.
“Jarred Dixon was unbelievable out there,” said MSU head coach Paul Lusk. “He was very clutch tonight, and he made some big plays down the stretch that were huge for us.”
He finished with 14 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists and an MSU freshman record 6 steals. He also made 7-of-9 free throws to secure his fourth straight double-figure scoring effort.
MSU will wrap its two-game home stand Tuesday night when the Bears host Bradley (3-20, 1-9 MVC) at 7:05 p.m.
Story courtesy: MSU Athletics
