Manning’s 3-pointer lifts No. 20 Missouri State to 69-67 win

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — Sydney Manning hit a 3-pointer as time ran out to give No. 20 Missouri State a 69-67 victory over Drake on Friday night.

Trailing 65-58 with 2 1/2 minutes to go, the Lady Bears (13-2, 3-0 Missouri Valley Conference) finished the game on a 11-2 run, the first eight points coming on free throws before Manning’s shot.

Sydney Wilson, trying to split two defenders in the paint, was falling to the floor as she tipped the ball to Manning who swished the winner.

Manning finished with 16 points, making 4 of 8 from the arc. Jasmine Franklin has 12 points and 12 rebounds, Emily Gartner 12 points and nine rebounds and Brice Calip 10 points, eight coming on free throws, including four straight in the Lady Bears’ final run.

Missouri State led almost the entire first half and were up 33-29 at the break. The Bulldogs caught the Lady Bears early in the third quarter and the lead went back and forth with the teams tied going into the final period. A 7-0 run gave Drake a 65-58 lead with 3:35 to go.

Sara Rhine finished with 23 points for Drake (9-5, 1-1). Becca Hittner added 16 points, going 12 of 13 at the line and Monica Burich added 10 points. The Bulldogs outshot the Lady Bears by nearly 14% but were only 1 of 12 from the arc and gave up 16 points off 19 turnovers.

The Lady Bears are off to their best start since the 2003-04 team opened 20-1.