The Missouri State women’s basketball team came out like a house afire Sunday night, and SIU could not quite keep up with the Bears.

Missouri State (13-7, 6-2 Missouri Valley Conference) took advantage of seven third-quarter turnovers by SIU (11-8, 4-3) in an 82-77 win. The Bears expanded a slim halftime lead to 68-56 with the help of eight points from senior forward Hillary Chvatal in the period.

The Dawgs’ comeback effort in the final quarter fell short, as junior forward Carlie Corrigan’s 3-pointer with 35 seconds cut the Bear lead to 79-77. Missouri State, which was the preseason pick to win the conference, held off the Salukis to win its fourth straight game.

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Senior guard Cartaesha Macklin and Bears senior guard Kenzie Williams finished with 25 points apiece to lead all scorers. Senior guard Tyonna Snow added 20 for Missouri State. Junior guard Rishonda Napier finished with 18 for the Salukis.

Senior center Dyana Pierre, who left the game in the closing minutes with a shoulder injury, recorded her seventh straight double-double with 16 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. She became SIU’s all-time leading shot blocker in the first quarter with her 150th career rejection.

Missouri State’s bench outscored SIU’s 19-6. Sophomore forward/center Celina VanHyfte scored all six of the Salukis’ bench points.

Both teams started the game hot from the field.

They combined to score 51 points and shoot 56 percent from the floor in the first quarter. Pierre made a layup to beat the buzzer, but the Bears ended the first period on top 26-25.

That torrid pace barely slowed in the second quarter. The Salukis and Bears ended the first half an identical 19-36 from the floor. Missouri State led 48-45 on the strength of a 55 percent effort from beyond the 3-point line.

Williams led all scorers with 18 points on 8-12 shooting in the first half. Snow added nine.

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Senior guard Cartaesha Macklin led SIU with 16 points. Napier added 13 points in the first half.

The Salukis return home to face Indiana State at 6 p.m. Friday at SIU Arena. 

Thomas Donley can be reached at [email protected] or at 618-536-3307