RUSTON, La. – Keith Palek III posted a season-high 29 points, and Michael Osei-Bonsu tallied his fourth double-double of the season, but home-standing Louisiana Tech dropped in two second-chance buckets in the last minute to steal a 72-70 decision from Missouri State here Thursday.
LA Tech (16-12, 9-8 CUSA) was led by 27 points from DJ Dudley, including an offensive rebound and stick-back with 55 seconds to go that broke a 68-68 tie.
Palek then converted a mid-range jumper for the maroon side with 36 seconds to play that tied the contest up for the 12th and final time, 70-70.
With 8 seconds to go, Will Allen snagged a rebound in full stride after a drive to the bucket by Scooter Williams Jr. was stuffed by MSU’s Darrion Sutton. Allen’s score proved to be the game-winner as the Bears were unable to get off a shot on their last true offensive possession.
After turning it over with 3 ticks on the clock, Missouri State had to foul, sending Allen to the line. He missed both free throws, but Osei-Bonsu’s 10th rebound of the night was inconsequential with his full-court desperation shot off target.
The Bears finished with a season-best 83.3 percent from the free throw line, converting 20-of-24 on the road with a 35-29 rebounding advantage over the Bulldogs.
Palek finished 10-of-19 from the field with a pair of threes, 6 rebounds and 3 assists, while Trey Williams Jr. posted a game-high 5 assists, and Kobi Williams registered 14 points, 3 assists and 3 steals.
Missouri State (13-15, 7-10 CUSA) led by six with 8:09 to go after a triple by Trey Williams made it 60-54. The Bears maintained a lead until the final minute before dropping their sixth in a row.
The Bears finished 22-of-54 overall (.407), 6-of-17 (.353) from long range and racked up 9 steals with 14 turnovers.
Louisiana Tech was 24-of-50 (.480) from the field, 9-of-25 (.360) from distance and 15-of-24 (.625) at the line with 14 turnovers, 8 steals and 11 blocks – 7 by Melian Martinez.
In the first half, MoState overcame an 11-point deficit and a barrage of Bulldog threes in the first five minutes to lead 38-37 at the intermission. Kobi Williams started an 8-0 surge by the visitors midway through the stanza with Osei-Bonsu, Trey Williams Jr. and Zaxton King joining in the point parade that tied the game, 20-20 at the 8:48 mark.
Later, a pair of Palek free throws preceded a three by Antwan Burnett to give Missouri State its largest lead of the half, 27-23 with 5:50 to go. The lead would change seven more times before the intermission with Kobi Williams’ first trey of the night at the 27-second mark giving MSU a one-point lead at the break.
Missouri State concludes a three-game CUSA road swing Saturday at Sam Houston (4:30 p.m.) before finishing up the regular season March 5 (vs. WKU) and March 7 (vs. Middle Tennessee) at home.
