Missouri State Stuns Liberty in Conference USA Tournament Upset
March in college basketball is synonymous with unforgettable upsets, and the Conference USA tournament delivered a classic. The No. 9 seed Missouri State Bears pulled off a stunning victory over the No. 1 seed Liberty Flames, winning 77-69 and ending Liberty's hopes for a March Madness appearance.
Game Recap
Liberty entered the tournament with an impressive 25-7 overall record and a dominant 17-3 in conference play, standing four games clear of their nearest rival, Sam Houston State. On the other hand, Missouri State had a challenging season, finishing 16-17 overall and 8-12 in the conference. Their regular season ended on a low note, with a 1-9 stretch, including a winless February.
Despite their struggles, the Bears were ready for the challenge. After defeating the FIU Panthers, they faced an uphill battle against the Flames. Liberty led 37-33 at halftime and extended their lead to 50-42 with 15:16 remaining in the game.
That's when Missouri State turned up the heat. They went on an electrifying 15-0 run, seizing a 57-50 lead by the 9:55 mark.
While Liberty attempted to rally, closing the gap to 58-57 at 7:46, Missouri State held firm. The Flames couldn't get closer than a two-point deficit, ultimately falling 77-69.
Key Takeaways
Missouri State's senior forward, Micahel Osei-Bonsu, delivered a career-defining performance, scoring 31 points on an astounding 14 of 16 shooting. The Bears shot an impressive 56% from the field and hit 50% from three-point range.
In contrast, Liberty struggled from beyond the arc, making just nine of 31 attempts, a tough 29% shooting night. Senior guard Colin Porter, typically a reliable shooter at 37.4% from three-point range, missed all six of his attempts. Senior forward Zach Cleveland led the Flames with 20 points but didn't take any three-point shots.
With Liberty's loss, Sam Houston State is now projected to secure a spot in the NCAA tournament, likely as a No. 13 seed facing Kansas in the East bracket.
Stay tuned for more thrilling moments as the college basketball season continues to unfold.