Missouri State (13-3, 3-0) defeated Northern Iowa 62-55 to open up Valley play 3-0 for the first time since the Bears won the MVC regular-season title in 2010-11.
The Bears used tough defense to do it.
UNI's Klint Carlson knocked down a shot from deep 3-point range at the buzzer to give the Panthers a one-point lead with 14:04 left in the half.
Northern Iowa’s first-half lead wouldn’t grow past five.
Ronnie Rousseau III drained a 3-pointer with 4:45 left in the half to give the Bears a two-point lead and the Bears would control the game from there.