GONZAGA VS MISSOURI STATE

PHOTO BY: @billkiser / @vidaily.news

CHARLOTTE AMALIE, St. Thomas – Paige Rocca turned in a 16-point performance, while Lacy Stokes and Kyrah Daniels added 12 points apiece, and Kaem Bekemeier added 11 as the Missouri State Lady Bears (4-1) picked up a 65-64 win over Gonzaga (4-3) on day one of the 2024 Paradise Jam. 

The Lady Bears pushed ahead in the first quarter, gradually opening the advantage to as many as seven points (18-11) with just over a minute to play, taking a five-point (18-13) lead into the second quarter. Gonzaga clawed its way back in the second quarter, tying the game at 27-27 going into halftime. 

Momentum swung back Missouri State’s way in the third quarter, as the Lady Bears stretched their lead out to as many as 14 points (50-36) with 2:22 remaining before taking a 12-point (52-40) lead into the fourth quarter. MSU’s lead grew to as many as 17 points (59-42) three minutes into the fourth quarter, before the Zags began to close the gap, reducing the deficit to six points (59-53) after an 11-0 run. 

After a 3-pointer by MSU gave the Lady Bears a nine-point lead, a 6-0 run by Gonzaga pulled the Zags to within three (62-59) in the final minute, and with 13.8 seconds to play, Allie Turner buried a second-chance 3-pointer to knot the game at 64-64. 

However, with 4.4 seconds to play, Stokes hit the game-winning free throw for the Lady Bears

Missouri State returns to action Friday in a 6:30 p.m. game against Florida State, while Gonzaga will follow in the 9 p.m. game against Texas Tech.

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