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Home International Missouri State women’s basketball eyes big test versus Marquette

Missouri State women’s basketball eyes big test versus Marquette

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SPRINGFIELD — Missouri State (3-0) intends on using last year’s experience this season.

That is why the Lady Bears’ upcoming game is a major early test of the season.

Missouri State hosts Marquette (2-1) at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13.

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Last season, the Lady Bears entered the NCAA Tournament as the No. 16 seed. Looking back, the team knows that a few key non-conference wins could’ve helped their postseason seeding.

“If we would have just won at least one of our tougher games, we could’ve have gotten a better seeding,” Lainie Douglas said. “That lights a fire under our butt to win a few of these games and make it to the tournament and get a higher seeding.”

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Missouri State women’s basketball hosts Southeast Missouri State for season opener

Missouri State’s women’s basketball unveiled its 2026 Conference USA Tournament Championship banner against Southeast Missouri State at Great Southern Bank Arena on Monday, Nov. 2.

(Liam Keating/News-Leader)

Marquette has finished above .500 in every season since 2017. The Golden Eagles have also won at least 18 games since that mark, too. They have reached the NCAA Tournament six times in the last 10 years.

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It’s safe to say this is a big game for the Lady Bears. Not only is it difficult to schedule big-time opponents in today’s college basketball landscape, but it’s also even harder to host big games.

“The non-conference schedule is a good opportunity to show how talented we are,” Douglas said.

Missouri State is off to a flying start with blowout wins over Southeast Missouri State, Wyoming, and Wichita State. The Lady Bears have shown an identity of stifling defense and efficiency inside the lane.

It doesn’t matter the opponent, good defense and consistent scoring will always translate to wins.

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Marquette’s lone loss came against No. 17 Minnesota in an 87-79 defeat. The Lady Bears will also play against the Golden Gophers in the Cancun Challenge on Thursday, Nov. 26.

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Missouri State's Lainie Douglas against Southeast Missouri State at Great Southern Bank Arena on Monday, Nov. 2.

Missouri State’s Lainie Douglas against Southeast Missouri State at Great Southern Bank Arena on Monday, Nov. 2.

While Kaemyn Bekemeier leads the Lady Bears, Marquette’s Halle Vice is its star player. The 6-foot-1 senior was an all-Big East First Team member last season. She was also picked to the preseason All-Big East Team list.

Vice has scored at least 12 points in every game, including a 25-point outburst against Minnesota. She can hit deep 3-pointers while scoring inside. She’s a true matchup threat for any team she faces.

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Missouri State’s defense has been spectacular to start. The Lady Bears are allowing just 29% of their opponents to hit shots this season. Interior defense led by Douglas and Hannah Linthacum could be a major key in this game.

Milwaukee Panthers guard Valerie Cassidy-De Falco (24) guards Marquette Golden Eagles guard Halle Vice (22) during the second half of the game on Wednesday November 19, 2025 at the Klotsche Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Milwaukee Panthers guard Valerie Cassidy-De Falco (24) guards Marquette Golden Eagles guard Halle Vice (22) during the second half of the game on Wednesday November 19, 2025 at the Klotsche Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

A win over Marquette will not only give Missouri State confidence moving forward, but it will also be huge for the team’s RPI down the road.

Marquette will be bound to pick up some big wins across the season. The Golden Eagles still have to face Wisconsin and Illinois, along with two games against national championship contender UConn and several other Big East powers.

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Liam Keating covers high school sports and Missouri State athletics for The Springfield News-Leader. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@usatodayco.com

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri State women’s basketball eyes big test versus Marquette

Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com

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