The Standard · Mar 10, 2025
Images from the Bears’ final Arch Madness appearance
The Missouri State University men’s basketball team exited the Missouri Valley Conference Arch Madness Tournament on the first day, losing in an uncompetitive and disheartened 70-54 blowout to Illinois State University.Junior forward Michael Osei-Bonsu (L) and junior guard Vincent Brady II (R) wait for their announcements in the starting lineup against the Redbirds at Arch Madness.Freshman guard Zaxton King has been one of the standouts of the Bears’ starting lineup in the 2024-25 season, averaging 8.9 points per game and 2.8 boards. In St. Louis on Thursday, King only scored 3 points and 2 rebounds, shooting only one good 3-pointer, going 1-5 for the rest.Sophomore guard Dez White (M) and senior forward Wesley Oba (R) wait to be called up as starters. White started every game this season, putting up big points and hitting some of the best 3-pointers on the team, but only managed 5 points and one trey at Arch Madness. Oba had a comparatively good day, scoring 6 points to his average of 3.5 and making six rebounds and two assists.The Bears win the tip over the Redbirds at Arch Madness. Photo by W. Paul Bohlen, @anthro_paul_ogist on InstagramMissouri State’s guarding was solid for the first ten minutes, but didn’t stay competitive for the rest of the game, contributing to the loss.Osei-Bonsu guards the Redbirds’ sophomore forward Chase Walker. Osei-Bonsu powered through an apparent injury to play 26 of the 40 minutes as probably the most important member of the 2024-25 Bears.Missouri State President Richard “Biff” Williams was in attendance for the Bears’ Arch Madness loss. With him was Vice President for University Advancement Brent Dunn and Director of Athletics Patrick Ransdell (not pictured).Sophomore guard Tommy Pinegar (R) and MSU men’s basketball graduate assistant Chad Brown (L) cheer on the Bears.Illinois State’s sophomore guard Johnny Kinziger shoots a jumper against the Bears.Bears head coach Cuonzo Martin shouts to his players during their fight against the Redbirds. Martin said despite all of the issues with the season, he was proud of how this team of Bears never let the bottom fall out of their morale.One of the biggest issues that the Bears faced against the Redbirds was an undetermined injury to Osei-Bonsu’s foot, which he suffered early in the game and dealt with for more than 20 minutes of game time.<img alt="Woodberry and Epes" data-sizes="auto" data-srcset="https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/the-standard.org/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/e/30/e30ec8c8-fd3d-11ef-a2f8-f7629c566cac/67ce23cfbd812.image.jpg?resize=150%2C100 150w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/the-standard.org/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/e/30/e30ec8c8-fd3d-11ef-a2f8-f7629c566cac/67ce23cfbd812.image.jpg?resize=200%2C133 200w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/the-standard.org/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/e/30/e30ec8c8-fd3d-11ef-a2f8-f7629c566cac/67ce23cfbd812.image.jpg?resize=225%2C150 225w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/the-standard.org/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/e/30/e30ec8c8-fd3d-11ef-a2f8-f7629c566cac/67ce23cfbd812.image.jpg?resize=300%2C200 300w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/the-standard.org/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/e/30/e30ec8c8-fd3d-11ef-a2f8-f7629c566cac/67ce23cfbd812.image.jpg?resize=400%2C267 400w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/the-standard.org/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/e/30/e30ec8c8-fd3d-11ef-a2f8-f7629c566cac/67ce23cfbd812.image.jpg?resize=540%2C360 540w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/the-standard.org/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/e/30/e30ec8c8-fd3d-11ef-a2f8-f7629c566cac/67ce23cfbd812.image.jpg?resize=640%2C427 640w,