Willard, No. 21 Missouri State women hold off Bradley 69-66

PEORIA, Ill. (AP) — Alexa Willard scored 19 points, including a pair of free throws with 1.4 seconds left, and No. 21 Missouri State picked up the 900th win in school history with a 69-66 defeat of Bradley on Sunday.

The Bears led 47-27 three minutes into the second half after a Willard layup. Gabi Haack rallied the Braves with 16 points in the second half, the last two coming from the foul line with 3.5 seconds left to make it 67-66.

After Willard’s free throws Bradley never got off a tying attempt.

Brice Calip scored 12 points for Missouri State (24-4, 14-2 Missouri Valley Conference), which is 900-606 in 51 seasons, 38 at the Division I level. Jasmine Franklin added 11 points and Sydney Wilson 10. Emily Gartner grabbed 11 rebounds with eight points.

Missouri State coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton tied the conference record for most wins by a first year coach, joining Creighton’s Jim Flanery (2003-03) and Stephanie Glance (2010-11). The Bears have been in the MVC for 28 seasons.

Haack had four 3-pointers and 24 points on 8-of-10 shooting to lead the Braves (20-7, 11-5), who lost the first meeting 90-56. Three players added 10.