In a shocking turn of events, Missouri State pulled off a significant upset at the Great Southern Bank Arena, defeating Texas Rio Grande Valley 74-67. This victory is all the more impressive considering Texas Rio Grande Valley's higher net ranking, making this a Quadrant 4 win for Missouri State. The Bears' triumph is a reflection of their resilience and determination, as they overcame a strong challenge from the Vaqueros.
Keith Palek III was the standout performer for Missouri State, posting an impressive 28 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists. His dominant display was instrumental in the Bears' success, as he consistently found ways to score and create opportunities for his teammates. Zaxton King and Kobi Williams also made significant contributions, scoring 12 and 11 points, respectively. For Texas Rio Grande Valley, Koree Cotton led the charge with 13 points and 5 rebounds, while Filip Brankovic and Marvin McGhee III added 11 and 10 points, respectively.
The game was closely contested throughout, with Texas Rio Grande Valley taking a 30-28 lead into halftime. However, Missouri State came out strong in the second half, outscoring the Vaqueros 46-37 to secure the win. The Bears' ability to adapt and adjust their strategy at halftime paid dividends, as they were able to exploit weaknesses in the Vaqueros' defense and capitalize on their scoring opportunities.
This upset victory has real consequences for Missouri State's tournament chances. As a Quadrant 4 win, it may not carry the same weight as a victory over a top-ranked opponent, but it demonstrates the Bears' ability to compete against teams with higher net rankings. For Texas Rio Grande Valley, the loss is a setback, but it still qualifies as a Quadrant 3 game, which could be valuable in the context of their overall schedule.
The absence of a pre-game prediction makes this result all the more surprising, as there was no clear indication of how the game would unfold. Missouri State's victory serves as a reminder that college basketball is inherently unpredictable, and that any team can rise to the challenge on a given day.
As the season progresses, Missouri State want to build on this momentum, using the confidence gained from this upset to drive their performance in future games. The Bears' tournament resume has undoubtedly been bolstered by this result, and they will be eager to add more impressive wins to their portfolio. With this victory, Missouri State has proven that they are a force to be reckoned with, and their opponents would do well to take notice. The Bears' Quadrant 4 win may not be the most prestigious, but it is a significant step in the right direction, and they want to capitalize on this success in the games to come.