The Missouri State Bears roll into the NIT tournament first round Tuesday night with a match up in Norman, OK against the Oklahoma Sooners. Missouri State lost 79-78 to Drake in their final game of the season to end a three game win streak. Defensively Missouri State struggled as Drake made 40.6% of their shots to score 79 points in the game including 36 in the second half to force overtime following a one point halftime Missouri State league.
Isiaih Mosely carried the Missouri state offense with 27 points on 9 of 20 shooting in 45 minutes on the floor. Gaige Prim chipped in a second best 21 points and Donovan Clay scored 14 points and posted a team high 10 rebounds.
The Oklahoma Sooners got into the NIT tournament after finishing the regular season three games above .500 on the year following a one point loss to Texas Tech on Friday. Offensively Oklahoma was terrible against Texas Tech scoring only 55 points on 38% shooting from the floor. Umoja Gibson Was the leader of the Oklahoma offense against Texas Tech with 16 points in 36 minutes of action.
Umoja Gibson Is the leading scorer in the Oklahoma offense is one of four players averaging double figures scoring 12.5 points per game on 42.4% shooting. Tanner Groves chips in a second best 11.8 points and Duke transfer Jordan Goldwire scores 10.5 points per game and leads the team with 3.4 assists. Jalen Hill adds 9.1 points and a team high 5.9 rebounds