Bekemeier, Missouri State women beat Stephen F. Austin 85-75 at First Four
Missouri State’s Kaemyn Bekemeier and Lainie Douglas led the Lady Bears to an 85-75 victory over Stephen F. Austin in the women’s First Four matchup on Wednesday night. Bekemeier recorded an impressive double-double with 22 points and 13 rebounds, while Douglas added 14 points and 10 rebounds. The win secured Missouri State’s spot in the Round of 64, where they will face off against top-seeded Texas on Friday.
Despite committing 19 turnovers, Missouri State managed to shoot 48% from the field and outrebounded SFA 50-30. The Lady Bears’ strong performance on both ends of the court helped them overcome their turnovers and secure the win.
Stephen F. Austin, on the other hand, struggled to keep up with Missouri State’s offensive firepower. The Ladyjacks, who have now lost eight consecutive NCAA Tournament games, were unable to match the Lady Bears’ scoring output.
Missouri State used a 9-0 run in the first half to take the lead for good, with Angel Scott hitting a key 3-pointer to extend the lead to 45-37 late in the second quarter. Ashlyn Traylor-Walker led SFA with 23 points, while Aziyah Farrier contributed 13 points and nine rebounds. Harmanie Dominguez also made a significant impact, hitting three 3-pointers and setting a program record for single-season 3s made.
The Lady Bears’ balanced scoring attack was led by Maiesha Washington, Kendal Brueggen, and Faith Lee, who all reached double figures in scoring. Missouri State’s depth and offensive efficiency were key factors in their victory over SFA.
Looking ahead, Missouri State will face a tough challenge in third-ranked Texas in the Round of 64. The Lady Bears will look to build on their momentum from the First Four win and pull off an upset against the Longhorns.
Overall, Missouri State’s victory over Stephen F. Austin was a testament to their resilience and ability to overcome adversity. With a strong performance on both ends of the court, the Lady Bears are poised to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament and continue their winning ways.
