Missouri State pulled off a stunning upset at the Great Southern Bank Arena, taking down Florida International 79-71 in a non-conference matchup. The Bears, ranked 195th in the net rankings, were not expected to come out on top against the 183rd-ranked Panthers, but they proved their doubters wrong with a strong performance. Keith Palek III was the star of the show, scoring 22 points and dishing out 5 assists to lead Missouri State to the win.
The game got off to a slow start, with Missouri State taking a 35-30 lead into halftime. However, the Bears came out firing in the second half, scoring 44 points to seal the deal. Florida International's Julian Mackey did his best to keep the Panthers in the game, scoring 18 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Bears' balanced attack. Kobi Williams and Zaxton King also chipped in with 14 points each for Missouri State, making it a tough night for the Panthers' defense.
The upset win is a significant boost for Missouri State's resume, especially considering it came against a team ranked higher in the net rankings. The Bears' victory will likely cause some movement in the rankings, and it's a much-needed win for a team looking to make a push for the postseason. On the other hand, the loss is a setback for Florida International, which was looking to build some momentum heading into the second half of the season.
Corey Stephenson and Hamed Olayinka also had notable performances for Florida International, scoring 12 and 11 points, respectively. However, the Panthers' offense was unable to keep pace with Missouri State's in the second half, and they ultimately came up short.
The win is a Quadrant 4 victory for Missouri State, which may not carry as much weight as a win over a top opponent, but it's still a valuable addition to the Bears' resume. For Florida International, the loss is a Quadrant 3 defeat, which won't hurt their chances too much, but it's still a missed opportunity to pick up a win against a team they were expected to beat.
In the end, Missouri State's upset win over Florida International is a reflection of the Bears' resilience and determination. They faced a tough opponent and won, and it's a win that will surely give them confidence heading into their next game. As for their tournament chances, this win is a step in the right direction, but Missouri State still has a lot of work to do to secure a spot in the postseason. For now, they can celebrate a big upset victory that will surely send shockwaves through the college basketball world.