Kellie Harper (photo/MSU Athletics)
Missouri State forced 22 turnovers and allowed a JQH Arena record-low 15 points in the first half Sunday afternoon on the way to a 62-52 victory over UNI. The Lady Bears improved to 7-8 overall and 3-1 in Valley play in head coach Kellie Harper’s 50th MVC win in 76 league games, out-scoring the Panthers (6-9, 2-2) by a 24-6 margin in points off turnovers.
UNI committed 15 turnovers and shot 20 percent in the first half, while MSU senior Aubrey Buckley scored 6 points in the first 2:11 of the contest on the way to a game-high 13 points and a season-high 9 rebounds. In the second half a UNI three-pointer cut the Missouri State lead to 29-28, and the Lady Bears countered with a 9-0 run of their own. Missouri State led by at least five points for the remainder of the game, pushing the lead to 50-37 with 6:42.
The Lady Bears return to action Jan. 12 at 7 p.m. at Illinois State.
