Franklin hits winner, No. 21 Missouri State women top Loyola

CHICAGO (AP) — Alexa Willard scored 21 points, Jasmine Franklin made a game-winning shot in overtime and No. 21 Missouri State beat Loyola-Chicago 74-72 on Friday in a Missouri Valley Conference opener for both teams.

Missouri State inbounded it with 11.4 seconds left and got it to Franklin in the paint for a contested hook shot just before the final buzzer,

Missouri State (11-2), which is off to its best start since the 2003-04 team opened 20-1, extended its MVC road winning streak to a school-record 12 games.

Franklin had nine points and six rebounds and Brice Calip added 11 points for Missouri State. Willard scored 15 points in 17 minutes in the first half to help the Lady Bears build a 41-35 lead.

Abby O’Connor had 17 points and 11 rebounds for Loyola (9-3). The Ramblers are one of the nation’s best rebounding teams at plus-10.7 on the glass, but were outrebounded 39-32.