Missouri State University

Jan. 13, 2012

CEDAR FALLS, IOWA -- Missouri State has 11 points from Caleb Patterson and 10 from Kyle Weems at the break to lead Missouri State to a 32-28 advantage over Northern Iowa at the intermission here in Missouri Valley Conference play.

There were eight lead changes in the first eight minutes before Michael Bizoukas found Jarmar Gulley alone for a layup at the 10:56 mark to put the Bears up 16-15. MSU would never trail again the rest of the half, although the Panthers tied the game on a three-pointer by Jake Koch with 9:38 on the first-stanza clock.


Weems responded 32 seconds later with his second three of the first half to push MSU back on top. The Bears extended their first-half lead to 30-24 on a traditional three-point play by Patterson with just under four minutes to go, and Weems closed out the first-half scoring with a baseline right jumper in the final minute to make it 32-28.

The Bears are 13-for-30 (.433) from the field and 5-of-10 (.500) from bonus distance, including two treys apiece by Weems and Patterson. The Bears made their only free throw of the half and own a narrow 17-16 rebounding advantage with five turnovers.

UNI was led by Anthony James with 9 points, including five free throws. The Panthers were 9-of-24 (.375) from the field and 3-of-8 (.375) from three-point distance, plus 7-of-8 (.875) at the line.  UNI has six turnovers at the break.

Bizoukas has game-highs with 5 rebounds and 6 assists for the Bears who share the MVC lead at 4-1 entering play tonight with Creighton and Wichita State.