Missouri State Bears Defeat Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 87-74
Thursday, March 5, 2026, 8:00 PM ET · Great Southern Bank Arena
Missouri State Bears 87, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 74, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs Missouri State Bears?
Missouri State Bears beat Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 87-74 at Great Southern Bank Arena on March 5, 2026.
In a decisive matchup, the Missouri State Bears triumphed over the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers with a final score of 87-74 at the Great Southern Bank Arena. This victory marks a significant turnaround for the Bears, who had been struggling in their recent games, losing seven consecutive matches prior to this contest. The Bears' home record now stands at 14-16, while the Hilltoppers, despite their recent form, drop to 18-12.
The Bears entered the game with a troubling record of 2-8 over their last ten games, averaging 73.3 points scored and allowing 75.7 points per game during that stretch. Their last five games had been particularly challenging, culminating in an average of 74.4 points scored and 79.0 points allowed, indicating defensive vulnerabilities. In contrast, the Hilltoppers had been on a six-game winning streak, boasting a record of 7-3 in their last ten games, with an impressive scoring average of 79.2 points and allowing 72.1 points per game. Their recent form showcased a strong offensive unit, particularly in their last five games, where they averaged 90.8 points scored.
The Bears' performance at home had been inconsistent, with a home record of 1-4 in their last five games leading up to this matchup. The Hilltoppers, on the other hand, had a solid away record of 3-2 in their last five games, showcasing their ability to compete on the road. The previous meeting between these two teams earlier in the season ended in a loss for the Bears, who fell to the Hilltoppers 72-87 on January 15, 2026.
In terms of injuries, the block does not provide specific details on player availability, which could have impacted team performance. However, the absence or presence of key players can often sway the outcome in tightly contested games like this.
The betting market, as reported by DraftKings, had the Hilltoppers favored by 1.5 points, with a total set at 152.5 points. The odds for both teams to win straight up were listed at -110.0, indicating a closely matched contest according to the bookmakers.
Conditions at the Great Southern Bank Arena were conducive for basketball, with no adverse weather conditions reported, allowing both teams to focus solely on the game.
As the game unfolded, the Bears showcased their resilience, particularly in the second half. Key scoring plays included a one-foot alley-oop dunk by Leeroy Odiahi, assisted by Terrion Murdix, which highlighted the Bears' offensive creativity. Trey Williams Jr. added a significant 24-foot three-point jumper, further extending the Bears' lead. The final moments of the game saw the Bears maintain their advantage with free throws from Logan Epes and LJ Hackman, sealing the victory.
Overall, the Bears' performance in this game signals a potential turning point in their season, while the Hilltoppers will need to regroup after this setback.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | WKU -1.5 | 152.5 o -110 / u -110 | Western Kentucky Hilltoppers -110 · Missouri State Bears -110 |
Leaders
- PointsTrey Williams Jr.22Missouri State Bears
- AssistsZaxton King4Missouri State Bears
- ReboundsMichael Osei-Bonsu6Missouri State Bears
- PointsTeagan Moore23Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
- AssistsTerrion Murdix2Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
- ReboundsLJ Hackman6Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Recent form
Missouri State Bears
Last 10: 2-8Streak L773.3 scored · 75.7 allowed per game1-4 at home
- L81-86at Sam Houston BearkatsFeb 28
- L70-72at Louisiana Tech BulldogsFeb 27
- L67-70at Florida International PanthersFeb 21
- L87-91vs Kennesaw State OwlsFeb 19
- L67-76vs Delaware Blue HensFeb 14
- L78-79vs Louisiana Tech BulldogsFeb 13
- L76-79at Liberty FlamesFeb 7
- W74-67vs Jacksonville State GamecocksJan 31
- L71-80vs Sam Houston BearkatsJan 29
- W62-57at UTEP MinersJan 24
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Last 10: 7-3Streak W679.2 scored · 72.1 allowed per game3-2 away
- W97-65vs UTEP MinersFeb 28
- W93-70vs New Mexico State AggiesFeb 27
- W94-73at Liberty FlamesFeb 21
- W88-87at Delaware Blue HensFeb 19
- W82-80vs Middle Tennessee Blue RaidersFeb 15
- W80-70vs Florida International PanthersFeb 7
- L66-71vs Jacksonville State GamecocksFeb 6
- W65-60at Middle Tennessee Blue RaidersJan 31
- L69-72at Kennesaw State OwlsJan 29
- L58-73at Sam Houston BearkatsJan 24
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | 26-8 | - | 17-3 |
| Sam Houston | 22-12 | 4 | 13-7 |
| Louisiana Tech | 20-14 | 6 | 11-9 |
| Western Kentucky | 18-14 | 6 | 11-9 |
| Middle Tennessee | 17-15 | 6 | 11-9 |
| Kennesaw State | 21-14 | 7 | 10-10 |
| Jacksonville State | 15-17 | 7 | 10-10 |
| New Mexico State | 16-16 | 9 | 8-12 |
| Missouri State | 16-18 | 9 | 8-12 |
| Florida International | 15-17 | 9 | 8-12 |
| UTEP | 11-20 | 8 | 7-13 |
| Delaware | 10-21 | 11 | 6-14 |
Box score
| Stat | Western Kentucky Hilltoppers | Missouri State Bears |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 25-58 | 28-54 |
| Field goal % | 43 | 52 |
| Three-pointers | 2-13 | 10-21 |
| Three-point % | 15 | 48 |
| Free throws | 22-32 | 21-29 |
| Free throw % | 69 | 72 |
| Rebounds | 34 | 32 |
| Offensive rebounds | 13 | 8 |
| Defensive rebounds | 21 | 24 |
| Assists | 7 | 17 |
| Steals | 6 | 3 |
| Blocks | 3 | 2 |
| Turnovers | 6 | 7 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 9 | 6 |
| Fast-break points | 7 | 5 |
| Points in the paint | 38 | 32 |
| Fouls | 19 | 21 |
| Largest lead | 10 | 19 |
| Lead changes | 1 | 1 |
| Time in front | 39 | 60 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half42-55Michael Osei-Bonsu makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half44-55Teagan Moore makes 10-foot jumper
- 2nd Half45-55Teagan Moore makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half45-56Trey Williams Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half45-57Trey Williams Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half47-57Grant Newell makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half47-59Michael Osei-Bonsu makes layup (Kobi Williams assists)
- 2nd Half50-59Ryan Myers makes 26-foot three point jumper (Grant Newell assists)
- 2nd Half50-60Kobi Williams makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half50-63Trey Williams Jr. makes 25-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half50-65Trey Williams Jr. makes 14-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half51-65Cade Stinnett makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half52-65Cade Stinnett makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half52-66Keith Palek III makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half52-67Keith Palek III makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half54-67Teagan Moore makes 10-foot jumper
- 2nd Half55-67Teagan Moore makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half55-69Michael Osei-Bonsu makes layup (Keith Palek III assists)
- 2nd Half57-69Armelo Boone makes layup
- 2nd Half57-71Michael Osei-Bonsu makes layup
- 2nd Half58-71Teagan Moore makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half59-71Armelo Boone makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half60-71Armelo Boone makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half60-73Trey Williams Jr. makes 7-foot jumper
- 2nd Half60-74Trey Williams Jr. makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half60-76Keith Palek III makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half62-76Teagan Moore makes layup (Armelo Boone assists)
- 2nd Half62-78Keith Palek III makes layup (Zaxton King assists)
- 2nd Half64-78Armelo Boone makes layup
- 2nd Half64-81Zaxton King makes 25-foot three point jumper (Michael Osei-Bonsu assists)
- 2nd Half65-81Cade Stinnett makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half65-83Trey Williams Jr. makes 12-foot jumper
- 2nd Half67-83Leeroy Odiahi makes 1-foot alley oop dunk (Terrion Murdix assists)
- 2nd Half67-86Trey Williams Jr. makes 24-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half69-86LJ Hackman makes layup
- 2nd Half69-87Logan Epes makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half70-87LJ Hackman makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half72-87Cade Stinnett makes layup (Kade Unseld assists)
- 2nd Half73-87Jack Edelen makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half74-87Jack Edelen makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Missouri State Bears, below favours Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.
Venue
- Great Southern Bank ArenaSpringfield, MO
- Attendance2159
- OfficialsJason Baker, Courtney Green, Bharat Ramnanan
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