SPRINGFIELD -- Chris Cooks scored 21, while Wade Knapp and Kyle Weems added 14 apiece to lead the Missouri State Bears over Quincy University, 79-44, in the 2008-09 exhibition opener for both schools Monday night at Hammons Student Center.
Cooks, who had 18 points in the first half, finished 8-for-12 from the field and collected six rebounds. Knapp had a game-high eight rebounds for the Bears, who finished with a 42-25 rebounding advantage over the Hawks.
"I thought our guys did a nice job of defending the ball and creating turnovers," said first-year Bears' head coach Cuonzo Martin. "That helped us create some baskets, and I thought we played with a lot of intensity."
Weems had a game-high three three-pointers and also added four assists and three steals. Justin Fuehrmeyer and Spencer Laurie led the team with five assists apiece.
MSU forced 29 turnovers in the contest and held Quincy to a 33.3 shooting percentage from the field.
All nine Bears in uniform scored, as MSU rested three players recovering from injuries.
Quincy was led by freshman Tyler Burke from Warsaw, Mo., with 12 points, including a pair of three-pointers, while Andrew Kueker added 11 for coach Marty Bell's team.
Missouri State returns to Hammons Student Center next Monday for its final exhibition game of the preseason when the Bears play host to East Central University at 7 p.m. MSU opens its 2008-09 season at Auburn on November 14.
Courtesy: MSU Photo Services