The Missouri State Lady Bears (22-12) face Stephen F. Austin in the NCAA Tournament's First Four on March 18 at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas. This marks their 18th NCAA tournament appearance and the first under head coach Beth Cunningham. The Lady Bears have achieved postseason success with a record of 19-17 in the NCAA Tournament and have won a game in their last three tournament appearances. Key players include Kaemyn Bekemeier, who averages 17.4 points and 8.2 rebounds, and Lainie Douglas, ranked first in Conference USA for field goal percentage.

By the Numbers
  • Lady Bears have made 11 consecutive postseason appearances.
  • Kaemyn Bekemeier ranks 10th in single-season scoring with 591 points.
  • Missouri State is 21-4 when out-rebounding opponents.
Yes, But

Despite their strong performance in conference play and recent postseason history, the Lady Bears face a challenge as a 16 seed, which historically has limited chances for tournament advancement. Their ability to maintain a strong defense will be critical against Stephen F. Austin.

State of Play
  • Lady Bears captured the Conference USA Tournament title this year.
  • Mo State has a +148 point differential in the second half of games this season.
What's Next

Should the Lady Bears win against Stephen F. Austin, they would advance further into the tournament, aiming to continue their trend of winning in NCAA appearances. A successful showing could establish momentum for the upcoming rounds.

Bottom Line

The Lady Bears鈥� key to success lies in their rebounding efforts and capitalizing on their second-half scoring. Their performance against Stephen F. Austin will be crucial in proving their tournament viability.