Springfield, MO (SportsNetwork.com) - One streak continued and another was halted. The result is Wichita State is still unbeaten.
Cleanthony Early scored 22 points and pulled down 14 rebounds, and the No. 6 Shockers rallied from a 19-point deficit to upend Missouri State, 72-69, in overtime at JQH Arena.
Fred VanVleet added 16 points and Ron Baker scored 15 for Wichita State (17-0, 4-0 MVC), which is one of four remaining unbeaten teams left in Division I play. Arizona, Syracuse, Wisconsin also have perfect records. Iowa State headed into the day undefeated, but lost at Oklahoma.
Jamar Gulley totaled 15 points and 14 boards for Missouri State (13-4, 2-2 MVC), which has already surpassed last season's (11-22) win total. Austin Ruder had 17 points and Marcus Marshall scored 15, but the Bears had their nine-game win streak at JQH Arena broken.
"I thought our guys were bending a couple of times, but we never truly broke. Our guys gave a great effort, we really played. Congrats to Wichita State," said Missouri State coach Paul Lusk.
The Shockers were behind 54-35 with under 12 minutes left in regulation, but managed to force OT thanks a VanVleet free throw. His lefty layup gave the visitors the lead for good in the extra session.
Missouri State's last chance to tie the game was thwarted when Early came up with a steal at midcourt on an inbounds pass.
VanVleet scored 12 of Wichita State's final 13 points.
The Bears scored 10 in a row during the first half for a 25-15 lead and were up 42-24 at the break. They were in control until Baker's 3-pointer started a 16-2 burst. Darius Carter's bucket made it 56-51 with 7:27 left.
VanVleet plowed over Nathan Scheer, who was called for a foul with 47.7 seconds remaining. The 3-point play had the visitors within 64-63.
Gulley then lost the ball out of bounds and VanVleet converted 1-of-2 at the foul line with eight seconds left to tie the game.
Dorrian Williams missed a jumper for Missouri State at the buzzer.
VanVleet's layup boosted the Shockers to a 68-66 edge and it was close until the end. Marcus Marshall's jumper was countered by two VanVleet foul shots with 8.8 seconds left for a 71-68 margin.
A reach-in foul resulted in Devon Thomas going 1-of-2 at the charity stripe for the Bears with 5.8 ticks left. Gulley nearly tipped in the miss and the Shocker tracked down the ball in the corner.
Early made one free throw with 1.4 seconds left, but after the ensuing inbounds pass was knocked away, a second attempt was stolen by Early.
Game Notes
The Bears are 69-25 in the six seasons at JQH Arena ... WSU holds the series lead, 33-30, and have won the last six over the Bears ... The Bears are 1-5 all-time against AP Top-10 squads ... Wichita State is the highest-ranked opponent the Bears have ever played at home.
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