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Missouri State Lady Bears basketball

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Missouri State Lady Bears
2024–25 Missouri State Lady Bears basketball team
UniversityMissouri State University
Head coachBeth Cunningham (3rd season)
ConferenceMissouri Valley
(Conference USA in 2025–26)
LocationSpringfield, Missouri
ArenaGreat Southern Bank Arena
(capacity: 11,000)
NicknameLady Bears
ColorsMaroon and white[1]
   
Uniforms
Home jersey
Team colours
Home
Away jersey
Team colours
Away


NCAA tournament Final Four
1992, 2001
NCAA tournament Elite Eight
1992, 2001
NCAA tournament Sweet Sixteen
1992, 1993, 2001, 2019, 2021
NCAA tournament round of 32
1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1999, 2001, 2019, 2021
NCAA tournament appearances
1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2022
AIAW tournament appearances
1981
Conference tournament champions
1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2016, 2019
Conference regular season champions
1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2012, 2020, 2021

The Missouri State Lady Bears basketball team represents Missouri State University in NCAA Division I women's basketball. The team has a storied history making 2 NCAA Final Fours, reaching 17 NCAA Tournaments, and claiming 13 conference regular season titles. The Lady Bears compete in the Missouri Valley Conference.[2]

History

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Missouri State, known as Southwest Missouri State (SMSU) until 2005, began play in women's basketball in 1969. The Lady Bears played in the Missouri AIAW state tournaments from 1970 to 1982, post-season AIAW regional tournaments in 1974, 1975 and 1981, and the AIAW Division II national tourney in 1981. In 1982, the Lady Bears joined the ranks of Division I programs in the NCAA. From 1982 to 1992, the Lady Bears played in the Gateway Collegiate Athletic Conference before that conference was absorbed by the Missouri Valley Conference in 1992.

Missouri State has made 17 appearances in the NCAA Tournament including six straight appearances from 1991 to 1996, four straight appearances from 1998 to 2001, as well as appearances in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2016, 2019, 2021, and 2022. The Lady Bears' tournament success is highlighted by two trips to the Final Four (1992, 2001), two Elite Eight appearances (1992, 2001) and five trips to the Sweet Sixteen (1992, 1993, 2001, 2019, 2021).

The Lady Bears have made 9 appearances in the WNIT (2002, 2005, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2023). They won the 2005 WNIT, 78–70, over West Virginia.

As of the end of the 2023–2024 season, they have an all-time record of 993–639 (.608).[3][4]

1992 Final Four

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In 1992, Missouri State as an 8-seed became the lowest women's seed at the time to make the Final Four. The Lady Bears beat Kansas 75–59, Iowa 61–60 in overtime, UCLA 83–57 and Ole Miss 94–71. They were defeated 84–72 by Western Kentucky in the National Semifinals.

2001 Final Four

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In 2001 Missouri State earned a 5-seed in the West Region. The Lady Bears went to the Final Four in St. Louis after winning the West Region Missouri State defeated Toledo 89–71, Rutgers 60–53, Duke 81–71, and Washington 104–87. They were beaten in the National Semifinals by Purdue 81–64.

NCAA Tournament appearances

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Year Seed Round Opponent Result
1991 #8 First Round
Second Round		 #9 Tennessee Tech
#1 Tennessee		 W 94–64
L 47–55
1992 #8 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four		 #9 Kansas
#1 Iowa
#5 UCLA
#2 Ole Miss
#4 Western Kentucky		 W 75–59
W 61–60
W 83–57
W 94–71
L 72–84
1993 #7 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen		 #10 Oklahoma State
#2 Maryland
#6 Louisiana Tech		 W 86–71
W 86–82
L 43–59
1994 #6 First Round
Second Round		 #11 Northern Illinois
#3 Virginia		 W 75–56
L 63–67
1995 #9 First Round
Second Round		 #8 Utah
#1 Colorado		 W 49–47
L 34–78
1996 #12 First Round #5 Texas L 55–73
1998 #8 First Round #9 Notre Dame L 64–78
1999 #7 First Round
Second Round		 #10 UC Santa Barbara
#2 Colorado State		 W 72–70
L 70–86
2000 #10 First Round #7 Auburn L 74–78
2001 #5 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four		 #12 Toledo
#4 Rutgers
#1 Duke
#6 Washington
#3 Purdue		 W 89–71
W 60–53
W 81–71
W 104–87
L 64–81
2003 #15 First Round #2 Texas Tech L 59–67
2004 #12 First Round #5 Notre Dame L 65–69 (OT)
2006 #13 First Round #4 Purdue L 52–73
2016 #13 First Round #4 Texas A&M L 65–74
2019 #11 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen		 #6 DePaul
#3 Iowa State
#2 Stanford		 W 89–77
W 69–60
L 46–55
2021 #5 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen		 #12 UC Davis
#13 Wright State
#1 Stanford		 W 70–51
W 64–39
L 62–89
2022 #11 First Four
First Round		 #11 Florida State
#6 Ohio State		 W 61–50
L 56–63

AIAW Division II tournament results

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The Bears made one appearance in the AIAW National Division II basketball tournament, with a combined record of 0–1.

1981 First Round College of Charleston L, 55–70

Retired Numbers

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Missouri State has retired 4 numbers, which now hang in the rafters of the Lady Bear's home, Great Southern Bank Arena. Additionally, former head coach, Cheryl Burnett was honored with a retired jersey in recognition of her leadership of the Lady Bear's program.

(#10) Jackie Stiles

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  • AP Player of the Year (2001)
  • 3x- All American
  • Wade Trophy Winner (2001)
  • Women's Basketball Hall of Fame (2016)
  • Missouri Valley Conference Hall of Fame
  • Missouri Sports Hall of Fame
  • WNBA Rookie of the Year (2001)
  • 3x- Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year
  • Player of the Year Award in MVC now bears her name
  • 4x- All Conference First Team
  • MVC All-Centennial Team
  • MVC 25 Year Team

(#22) Kari Koch

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  • 1x- All-American
  • 4x- All Conference First Team
  • MVC Player of the Year (2004)
  • MVC All-Centennial Team
  • MVC 25 Year Team

(#35) Melody Howard

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  • 2x- All-American
  • 3x- All Conference
  • MVC Player of the Year (1994)
  • MVC All-Centennial Team
  • MVC 25 Year Team
  • Missouri Valley Conference Hall of Fame
  • Missouri Sports Hall of Fame

(#42) Jeanette Tendai

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  • 2x- All American
  • 3x- All Conference
  • MSU Hall of Fame
  • Springfield Area Sport Hall of Fame
  • MVC All-Centennial Team

(HC) Cheryl Burnett

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  • Missouri State's winningest women's basketball coach
    • 319–136 (.711) in 15 season
  • 10 NCAA Tournaments
  • 2 Final Fours
  • 15 Conference Titles
  • Led NCAA in attendance in 1992–1993
  • Mentored 8 All-Americans, 6 Academic All-Americans, 5 League MVPs and 26 first-team all MVC selections
Lady Bears Retired Numbers
Number Player Years Active G-GS FG-FGA FG PCT 3FG-3FGA 3FG PCT FT-FTA FT PCT REB AVG PTS AVG A TO BS MIN MPG
10 Jackie Stiles 1997–2001 129–128 1160–2188 .530 221–501 .441 852–997 .855 479 3.7 3393 26.3 295 381 23 4133 32.0
35 Melody Howard 1990–1994 127–123 716–1527 .469 258–588 .439 254–315 .806 403 3.2 1944 15.3 356 292 8 3710 29.2
42 Janette Tendai 1982–1986 110–97 726–1468 .495 --- --- 317–414 .766 910 8.3 1769 16.1 93 256 27 --- ---
HC Cheryl Burnet Head Coach: 1987–2002 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

Year by year results

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Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Missouri State Lady Bears (Missouri AIAW state tournament) (1969–1982)
Reba Sims (1969–1979)
1969–70 Reba Sims 10–7
1970–71 Reba Sims 14–6
1971–72 Reba Sims 19–6
1972–73 Reba Sims 19–12
1973–74 Reba Sims 21–7 2nd Place AIAW Region VI Tournament
1974–75 Reba Sims 16–10 3rd Place AIAW Region VI Tournament
1975–76 Reba Sims 6–17
1976–77 Reba Sims 8–17
1977–78 Reba Sims 8–17
1978–79 Reba Sims 8–17
Marti Gasser (1979–1983)
1979–80 Marti Gasser 8–17
1980–81 Marti Gasser 25–10 2nd Place AIAW Region VI, AIAW first round
1981–82 Marti Gasser 19–14
Missouri State Lady Bears (Gateway Conference) (1982–1992)
1982–83 Marti Gasser 10–18
Valerie Goodwin-Colbert (1983–1987)
1983–84 Valerie Goodwin-Colbert 12–16 8–10 6th
1984–85 Valerie Goodwin-Colbert 12–16 9–9 4th
1985–86 Valerie Goodwin-Colbert 6–21 5–13 7th
1986–87 Valerie Goodwin-Colbert 17–10 12–6 2nd
Cheryl Burnett (1987–2002)
1987–88 Cheryl Burnett 9–17 6–12 T-6th
1988–89 Cheryl Burnett 7–20 5–13 8th
1989–90 Cheryl Burnett 19–8 14–4 T-1st
1990–91 Cheryl Burnett 26–5 16–2 1st NCAA second round
1991–92 Cheryl Burnett 31–3 17–1 1st NCAA Final Four
Missouri State Lady Bears (Missouri Valley Conference) (1992–Present)
1992–93 Cheryl Burnett 23–9 14–2 1st NCAA Sweet Sixteen
1993–94 Cheryl Burnett 24–6 15–1 1st NCAA second round
1994–95 Cheryl Burnett 21–12 14–4 1st NCAA second round
1995–96 Cheryl Burnett 25–5 16–2 1st NCAA first round
1996–97 Cheryl Burnett 17–10 13–5 T-2nd
1997–98 Cheryl Burnett 24–6 14–4 2nd NCAA first round
1998–99 Cheryl Burnett 25–7 15–3 1st NCAA second round
1999–00 Cheryl Burnett 23–9 14–4 T–2nd NCAA first round
2000–01 Cheryl Burnett 29–6 16–2 T-1st NCAA Final Four
2001–02 Cheryl Burnett 16–13 12–6 3rd WNIT First Round
Katie Abrahamson-Henderson (2002–2007)
2002–03 Katie Abrahamson-Henderson 18–13 11–7 4th NCAA first round
2003–04 Katie Abrahamson-Henderson 28–4 16–2 1st NCAA first round
2004–05 Katie Abrahamson-Henderson 25–8 15–3 1st WNIT Champion
2005–06 Katie Abrahamson-Henderson 17–15 7–11 T-6th NCAA first round
2006–07 Katie Abrahamson-Henderson 7–21 3–15 10th
Nyla Milleson (2007–2013)
2007–08 Nyla Milleson 11–19 9–9 5th
2008–09 Nyla Milleson 10–20 6–12 7th
2009–10 Nyla Milleson 22–11 12–6 T-3rd WNIT Third Round
2010–11 Nyla Milleson 24–11 12–6 T-2nd WNIT Second Round
2011–12 Nyla Milleson 24–9 14–4 1st WNIT Third Round
2012–13 Nyla Milleson 14–17 6–12 8th
Kellie Harper (2013–2019)
2013–14 Kellie Harper 14–17 8–10 T-6th


2014–15 Kellie Harper 18–15 13–5 3rd WNIT First Round
2015–16 Kellie Harper 24–10 14–4 T-2nd NCAA first round
2016–17 Kellie Harper 16–15 12–6 3rd WNIT First Round
2017–18 Kellie Harper 21–12 15–3 2nd WNIT Second Round
2018–19 Kellie Harper 25–10 16–2 2nd NCAA Sweet Sixteen
Amaka Agugua-Hamilton (2019–2022)
2019–20 Amaka Agugua-Hamilton 26–4 16–2 1st Cancelled due to COVID-19
2020–21 Amaka Agugua-Hamilton 23–3 16–0 1st NCAA Sweet Sixteen
2021–22 Amaka Agugua-Hamilton 24–7 14–4 2nd NCAA tournament
Beth Cunningham (2022–present)
2022–23 Beth Cunningham 20–12 14–6 T–4th WNIT First round
Total: 969–628 (.607)

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

References

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  1. ^ "Colors - Identity Standards - Missouri State University". February 5, 2015. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
  2. ^ "Missouri State University Official Athletic Site". Missouristatebears.com. Retrieved 2017-03-07.
  3. ^ "Missouri State University Official Athletic Site" (PDF). Missouristatebears.com. Retrieved 2017-03-07.
  4. ^ "Missouri State 2016–17 Lady Bear Basketball Guide" (PDF). Sidearm.sites.s3.amazonaws.com. Retrieved 2017-03-07.
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