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| Indiana State outlasted Missouri State 60-56 on Sunday to earn the Missouri Valley Conference Championship and automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. - AP Photo |
But on Sunday, with an automatic berth to the NCAA tournament on the line, the Bears came up short and were unable to come from behind for the third day in a row, losing to the Indiana State Sycamores 60-56.
After Missouri State led at half time 31-28, Indiana State started the second half hot and the Bears were bitter cold.
The Bears were stuck on 38 points for 3:44 in the middle of the second half, allowing Indiana State to build a 6 point lead.
And despite a charge led by Jermaine Mallet, the Bears were unable to overcome the deficit.
Missouri State did have a chance to tie the game with less than 10 seconds left. Down two points, Mallet received a pass from Kyle Weems. When Mallet elevated to shot, he lost the handle out of bounds, turning the ball over to the Sycamores with 2.4 second remaining and sealing the championship.
Indiana State was led by Aaron Carter's 15 points. Mallet led Missouri State with 17 points while Weems and Adam Leonard added 11 points apiece.
Missouri State must wait and see if the NCAA tournament committee thinks they have done enough to earn an at-large berth to the tournament. The Bears have had rough experiences in the past, being the school with the highest RPI at 21 to not receive a bid.
Bears fans have to be nervous.
Sycamore fans are ecstatic. It is Indiana State's first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2001.
Somewhere, Larry Bird is smiling.
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