This story will be updated
In perhaps the Bears' most important game of the season, they couldn't take advantage of their opportunity.
Missouri State (14-16, 8-9) fell in a crucial conference matchup to Valparaiso (16-14, 9-8) in an 89-74 game on Tuesday evening in Valparaiso, Indiana.
With the loss, the Bears couldn't help themselves in the late-season battle to stay out of a play-in game at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament — which begins next week.
Missouri State will need to win against Southern Illinois and a Valparaiso loss to Indiana State on Saturday to avoid the play-in round.