Missouri State University

Missouri State erased a nine-point second-half deficit on the road and had the ball with a chance to tie the game in the final seconds, only to fall short by a 70-67 margin against Tulsa Wednesday night at Reynolds Center.

The Bears (4-3) trailed 42-33 with 17:57 left in the second half and tied the game on a three-pointer by Kyle Weems at the 8:27 mark on the tail of a 17-10 run. Weems finished with a career high 18 points, while Wade Knapp scored 16 -- also a career best.

Tulsa responded with a quick 5-0 spurt, capped by a three-pointer by Glenn Andrews with 6:10 left, but MSU fought back within one-point of the lead on four more occassions, including a layup by Wade Knapp who missed the ensuing free throw after a Tulsa foul on the play that would have tied the game at 64 at the 2:18 mark. 

The Bears were just 9-for-18 from the line on the night.

Knapp made two free throws and a jumper in the final 1:03, the latter of which cut the Bears' deficit to 68-67. Justin Fuehrmeyer fouled Andrews on the inbounds, and after a pair of free throws, the Bears took the ball back with a chance to tie.

Chris Cooks missed a three-pointer with 2.5 seconds left, but Tulsa traveled on the rebound, giving the Bears one more crack at a tie. Ryan Jehle's three from the corner went long, and Tulsa held on for the three-point win.

Tulsa (5-4) outrebounded Missouri State by a 46-27 margin, allowing the Golden Hurricane 28 second-chance points and 18 offensive rebounds. For Tulsa, seven-footer Jerome Jordan had a game-high 21 points and 9 rebounds -- six on the offensive end -- to lead all players, while Andrews scored 17 for the Golden Hurricane.

Missouri State committed just four turnovers in the game, and shot a season-best 44.6 percent from the field. Tulsa shot a season-high 75.7 percent from the free-throw line on 28-of-37 foul shots.

Spencer Laurie also contributed 10 points and a game-high four assists for coach Cuonzo Martin's Bears.

The Bears return to JQH Arena on Saturday for a 7:05 p.m. engagement with Central Arkansas (4-3) that kicks off a five-game home stand.