Bekemeier, Missouri State women beat Stephen F. Austin 85-75 at First Four

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Missouri State forward Lainie Douglas, right, hugs teammate Maiesha Washington as they celebrate their win over Stephen F. Austin in a First Four college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Wednesday, March 18, 20206, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Stephen F. Austin guard Ashlyn Traylor-Walker (4) drives around Missouri State guard Kaemyn Bekemeier (24) during the second half in a First Four college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Wednesday, March 18, 20206, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) — Missouri State forward Lainie Douglas, right, hugs teammate Maiesha Washington as they celebrate their win over Stephen F. Austin in a First Four college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Wednesday, March 18, 20206, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

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11:42 PM on Wednesday, March 18

The Associated Press

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Kaemyn Bekemeier had 22 points and 13 rebounds on Wednesday night, Lainie Douglas added 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Missouri State beat Stephen F. Austin 85-75 at the women's First Four.

No. 16 seed Missouri State (23-12), which has won at least one game in each of its last four NCAA Tournament appearances, plays top-seeded Texas in the Round of 64 on Friday.

Missouri State shot 48% (33 of 69) and outrebounded SFA 50-30 to overcome 19 turnovers, which the Ladyjacks converted into 22 points.

Stephen F. Austin (25-10) has lost eight consecutive NCAA Tournament games since a 73-72 first-round win over Xavier in 2000.

Missouri State used a 9-0 run to take the lead for good late in the first half. Angel Scott capped the spurt with a 3-pointer that made it 45-37 with 1:55 to go in the second quarter.

Ashlyn Traylor-Walker scored 23 points and Aziyah Farrier had 13 points and nine rebounds, three blocks and two steals for SFA. Harmanie Dominguez hit three 3-pointers and finished with nine points. Dominguez extended her program record for single-season 3s made to 100 — third most in Division I this season.

Maiesha Washington scored 18 points, Kendal Brueggen had 13 points and nine rebounds and Faith Lee added 10 points for the Lady Bears.

Scott, who finished with three points, played two seasons for the Ladyjacks, helping them advance to the 2022 NCAA Tournament and the 2023 WNIT.

The Lady Bears are in the Big Dance for the 18th time and first since 2022, when they beat Florida State 61-50 in the First Four before losing 63-56 to Ohio State in the Round of 64.

Up next

Missouri State will try Friday to snap third-ranked Texas' seven-game win streak.

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