Missouri State Bears win Conference USA Tournament opener

Bears defeat FIU Panthers 75-72 in first round matchup

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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The No. 9-seeded Missouri State Bears defeated the No. 8 FIU Panthers 75-72 in the opening round of the Air National Guard Conference USA Men's Basketball Championship in Huntsville, Alabama. The Bears shot 53% from the field and buried 8 three-pointers in the second half to secure the victory.

Why it matters

This win advances Missouri State to the quarterfinals of the Conference USA Tournament, where they will face top-seeded Liberty. The Bears will look to continue their tournament run and potentially earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament.

The details

Missouri State was led by Kobi Williams with 15 points, while Keith Palek III, Trey Williams Jr., and Zaxton King each scored 13 points. The Bears shot 53% from the field and made 8 three-pointers in the second half to overcome the Panthers.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, March 11, 2026.
  • Missouri State will play top-seeded Liberty on Wednesday, March 12, 2026 at 5:30 PM EST (ESPN+).

The players

Kobi Williams

A player for the Missouri State Bears who scored 15 points in the win over FIU.

Keith Palek III

A player for the Missouri State Bears who scored 13 points in the win over FIU.

Trey Williams Jr.

A player for the Missouri State Bears who scored 13 points in the win over FIU.

Zaxton King

A player for the Missouri State Bears who scored 13 points in the win over FIU.

Liberty

The top-seeded team that Missouri State will face in the quarterfinals of the Conference USA Tournament.

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What’s next

The winner of the Missouri State vs. Liberty quarterfinal matchup will advance to the semifinals of the Conference USA Tournament.

The takeaway

Missouri State's gritty performance and ability to knock down three-pointers in the second half was the key to their opening round victory in the Conference USA Tournament. The Bears will need to continue this strong play if they hope to upset top-seeded Liberty and advance further in the tournament.