(Kansas City, MO) – Missouri State is not quite ready for prime time, but they show flashes of being good enough to compete at a high level. With 13:14 left the Bears were down just nine points (52-43) to 24thranked Nebraska, but fell to the taller, deeper and more athletic Cornhuskers by a final score of 85-62.
Nebraska humbled the hard-working Bears by repeatedly turning over the less experienced Bears. Missouri State committed 18 turnovers, many of which coach Dana Ford called ‘soft’.
There were bright spots. The Bears (3-1) actually outrebounded the Huskers (38-34) and Keandre Cook showed he can score against one of the best defensive teams in the country. The junior transfer turned in his third straight 20-point performance (22 points) and relentlessly attacked the basket. Cook took six of the teams nine total free throw attempts.
Obediah Church grabbed ten rebounds and Jarred Dixon added 12 points.
Coach Ford says playing high-level competition in an event like the Hall of Fame Classic will help his team season and in years to come.
Turnovers were a problem for the second straight game. After 17 miscues against Stetson, the 18 against the Huskers truly bothered Ford. He said a number of them fell into the ‘soft’ category. Ford has he has to take some blame for his team being not quite ready. After enduring his first loss as MSU’s coach, Ford says there are three ways to make turnovers.
Ford’s squad gets another crack at a ‘power 5’ team on Tuesday night.
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So far #MTE season has been good for @ValleyHoops teams. @DrakeBulldogsMB & @BradleyUMBB play for trophies on Sunday. Here is the @BustingBrackets review of yesterday's games and a preview of what's ahead.
