Missouri State men fall to FIU in final seconds

Corey Stephenson's late 3-pointer lifts FIU over Bears in close Conference USA matchup

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Missouri State men's basketball team fell to Florida International University 70-67 in a close Conference USA matchup on Saturday. FIU's Corey Stephenson hit a 3-pointer with 3.5 seconds left to give the Panthers the victory after the Bears had just tied the game moments earlier. Kobi Williams led Missouri State with 25 points, including four 3-pointers in the final minutes to keep the Bears close, but their last-second shot attempt at the buzzer rimmed out.

Why it matters

The loss drops Missouri State to 13-14 overall and 7-9 in Conference USA play, continuing their recent struggles. FIU, meanwhile, improves to 13-14 on the season and 6-10 in conference. This game highlights the competitive nature of Conference USA basketball and the fine margins between winning and losing for teams like Missouri State trying to secure a postseason berth.

The details

Missouri State led by as many as nine points in the second half, but FIU closed the game on a 7-0 run, capped by Stephenson's game-winning 3-pointer. The Bears committed just 3 turnovers in the second half and shot 50% from the field, but couldn't overcome FIU's late-game heroics. Kobi Williams had a big game for Missouri State with 25 points, while Trey Williams Jr. and Michael Osei-Bonsu also made key contributions.

  • The game was played on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
  • Corey Stephenson hit the game-winning 3-pointer with 3.5 seconds left on the clock.

The players

Corey Stephenson

A player for FIU who hit the game-winning 3-pointer in the final seconds.

Kobi Williams

A player for Missouri State who scored a game-high 25 points, including four 3-pointers in the final minutes to keep the Bears close.

Trey Williams Jr.

A player for Missouri State who scored 12 points and helped the Bears cut a six-point deficit in half late in the game.

Michael Osei-Bonsu

A player for Missouri State who grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds.

Julian Mackey

A player for FIU who led the Panthers with 22 points.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

This close loss highlights the competitive nature of Conference USA basketball and the fine margins between winning and losing for teams like Missouri State as they try to secure a postseason berth. The Bears showed fight in battling back from a second-half deficit, but ultimately couldn't overcome FIU's late-game heroics.