Cook scores 27, Missouri State tops Valparaiso 67-60
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Keandre Cook poured in 27 points and Missouri State jumped out to a big first-half lead and held off Valparaiso 67-60 on Thursday night.
Cook buried 6 of 12 shots from the floor and 12 of 16 free throws for the Bears (10-10, 4-3 Missouri Valley Conference). No other Bear scored in double figures. Missouri State led 36-16 at halftime.
Mileek McMillan topped the Crusaders (10-10, 3-4) with 12 points, while Javon Freeman-Liberty and Daniel Sackey scored 11 each. Freeman-Liberty, Valparaiso's leading scorer at 21.2 per game, hit only 4 of 18 shots from the floor, including 1 of 10 from 3-point range.
Missouri State did some damage at the free-throw line, making 18 of 23 (78%). The Crusaders were 10 of 13 at the foul line (77%). Valparaiso sank just 8 of 39 from distance (20.5%).
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Game Information
- Referees:
- John Higgins
- Jeff Malham
- John Hampton
2023-24 Missouri Valley Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Indiana State | 17-3 | - | 32-7 |
Drake | 16-4 | 1 | 28-7 |
Bradley | 13-7 | 4 | 23-12 |
Belmont | 12-8 | 5 | 20-13 |
Northern Iowa | 12-8 | 5 | 19-14 |
Southern Illinois | 11-9 | 6 | 19-13 |
Illinois State | 9-11 | 8 | 15-17 |
Murray State | 9-11 | 8 | 12-20 |
Missouri State | 8-12 | 9 | 17-16 |
Evansville | 6-14 | 11 | 17-18 |
UIC | 4-16 | 13 | 12-21 |
Valparaiso | 3-17 | 14 | 7-25 |