Willard guides No. 24 Missouri St past Illinois St 87-74

Alexa Willard scored 16 points to lead five players in double figures and No. 24 Missouri State breezed to an 87-74 victory over Illinois State on Sunday. Willard made 7 of 11 shots from the floor for the Bears (17-3, 7-1 Missouri Valley Conference). Brice Calip totalled 15 points and eight assists, while Mya Bhinhar scored 14 off the bench on 5-of-10 shooting. Sydney Wilson added 13 points and five rebounds and Abby Hipp notched a double-double with 10 points and 11 boards.

Lexi Wallen topped the Redbirds (13-6, 5-3) with 25 points. Mary Crompton scored 18 on 6-of-11 shooting from 3-point range. Juliunn Remond pitched in with 16 points and seven rebounds off the bench, while Tete Maggett contributed 13 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

Missouri State shot 54% from the floor, hit 8 of 17 from 3-point range (47%) and made all 15 of its free-throw attempts. The Bears have scored 68 points or better in 19 of 20 games this season. Missouri State earned its fourth straight victory and leads the MVC by a game over Bradley and Drake.

Illinois State shot 42% overall and 40% from distance (11 of 27). The Redbirds were 7 of 8 at the foul line.