Bulldogs fall in Missouri

Box Score

SPRINGFIELD – If this was a baseball game then you could say they played small ball in the first half with a score like 26-21. But it was basketball and A&M came out and made the Bears of Missouri State play a half-court game and right into their hands taking a 68-47 victory.

Both teams shot under 30 percent as in the first as A&M went seven of 27 for 26% and MSU was 8 of 32 for 25%. The game began at a slow pace with the home team holding double digit leads twice but the visiting Bulldogs close in on both occasions.

Missouri State opened the scoring with a jumper by Emmanuel Addo. From there MSU held the lead and was able to maintain the advantage. The Maroon & White would continue to fight but two of 11 from the three-point line would be the Achilles heel that saw Alabama A&M down by five at half-time.

The second half would not get any better for the visiting team as they went over four minutes at one point without a basket. While A&M was trying to hit a shot Missouri State found their niche and connected on 50 percent from the field and took advantage of the 26 to 17 fouls in favor of the Bears.

The second straight week of seven days between games would finally catch up with the Bulldogs as they were not in rhythm as for the first time this year no A&M player scored in double figures. Shooting was the problem and it was not on A&M's side as they finish the game 15 of 56 for 27 percent from the field, six of 26 from the three-point line and 11 of 17 from the charity stripe. The result favored the Bears and earned them a revenge win 68-47.

"We wanted to slow the ball down and try to make them work on the defensive end," head coach Willie Hayes mentioned. "They came out in the second half and hit a couple of threes to widen the lead. We still were in the game until the last eight minutes when they went up by 15."

"Our guards were not on and we fell into their game late in the second half," Hayes recalled. "The starting lineup was changed for the first time but I don't think that got us out of sync. Guys have to be ready when their time comes."

The entire trip was a peculiar situation as the Bulldogs were put in a locker room that required three minutes of traveling time to get back and forth in the JQH arena. A&M practiced on the game floor but was told they had to use the practice facility for their pregame shoot around.

Justan Banks pulled in eight rebounds while Brandon Ellis led the team with eight points.

Marcus Marshall led Missouri St. with 18 points while Austin Ruder scored 12 and Keith Pickens pulled in a season high 15 boards.

The Bulldogs will be off for the Christmas break then return for a December 29^th date with the University of Alabama at Birmingham at 2 p.m. in the steel city.

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