Sports

The Sports Network

DATE & TIME: Saturday, February 18th, 5:00 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: JQH Arena (11,000) -- Springfield, Missouri. Television: ESPNU. Home Record: ODU 10-5, MSU 8-5. Away Record: ODU 6-4, MSU 8-4. Neutral Record: ODU 1-2, MSU 0-2. Conference Record: ODU 12-4, MSU 9-6. Series Record: First-ever meeting.

GAME NOTES: Missouri State steps out of conference to take on Old Dominion today in the first-ever meeting between the two schools at JQH Arena in Springfield as part of the annual BracketBusters event.

The Bears, who are in sole possession of third place in the Missouri Valley Conference following a 73-58 loss at 24th-ranked Wichita State on Wednesday, The Shockers hit 11 three-pointers and made 59.5 percent of their total shots to win the game going away. Wichita State claimed a 12-1 edge in points from the foul line, as the Bears attempted only two free throws and had a three- game win streak snapped. Anthony Downing paced Missouri State with 17 points, while Caleb Patterson contributed 14 points in a reserve role. The Bears had won three straight since also losing to Wichita State on February 1. Kyle Weems leads the team in scoring at 15.8 ppg, while Downing comes in at 11.3 ppg, just below Patterson (13.0 ppg). Jarmar Gulley (10.0 ppg) is the other double-digit scorer for the Bears. Weems (7.1), who also leads the team in rebounding, currently sits in fourth place on the school's career scoring list with 1,810 points. He trails only Daryel Garrison (1,975), Curtis Perry (1,835) and Johnny Murdock (1,834). Weems' current run of 27 consecutive double-figure scoring games is the longest stretch of his career.

The Monarchs, winners in six of their last eight games, are coming off an 81-64 triumph at home against UNC-Wilmington. Kent Bazemore scored 23 points and collected eight rebounds in that Colonial Athletic Association contest. Nick Wright added 19 points for the Monarchs. Chris Cooper finished with 12 points, while Donte Hill dished out six assists. Old Dominion shot 48.5 percent from the floor for the game and had a 45-33 edge on the glass. The Monarchs are led by Bazemore's 13.9 ppg, while Cooper averages a double-double (10.8 ppg, 10.0 rpg). Wright (8.6 ppg), guard Marquel De Lancey (4.3 ppg) and Hill (7.3 ppg) complete the starting five. Trian Iliadis (8.5 ppg) is a key reserve for the Monarchs, who are in fourth place in the CAA.

ODU is 5-1 all-time in matchups in the BrackBusters event, including a victory last season over Cleveland State. A different trend goes the way of the Bears, who are 9-1 on Saturdays this season and 6-1 in day games. MSU is 4-4 all-time in BracketBusters games.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Missouri State 68, Old Dominion 66

02/18 10:32:22 ET