TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – A late touchdown by Shakir Bell gave Indiana State all the breathing room it would need Saturday in a 31-17 victory over visiting Missouri State.
Bell crossed the goal line with 9:23 to go in the fourth quarter on a 24-yard touchdown run. After Tanner Fritschle made the extra point, it was 28-17 Indiana State. Fritschle added a 26-yard field goal attempt with 2:22 remaining to seal the deal.
Indiana State (4-2, 2-1 Missouri Valley) had only 280 yards of offense against the Bears, 113 of which came from Bell on 25 carries.
Mike Perish completed 11 of 24 pass attempts for 127 yards and two touchdowns but was picked off twice by a Missouri State (0-6, 0-3) defense which also held the Sycamores to 4 of 15 on third down.
The Sycamores still trail in the all-time series with Missouri State by a 16-11 margin.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.