FORT MYERS, Fla. (Interstat) — The Missouri State Lady Bears used a dominant second-half performance to pull away from the Coppin State Eagles, securing a 77-56 victory in a non-conference women’s basketball game Sunday at Florida SouthWestern State.

In a contest that was tight for the first 20 minutes, the Lady Bears outscored the Eagles 45-32 after halftime to turn a seven-point lead into a decisive win. The victory improved Missouri State’s record to 6-2, while Coppin State fell to 1-7.

Sophomore guard Cady Pauley from Milan, Missouri, led all scorers with a game-high 23 points, showcasing her shooting range with multiple three-pointers. She added three assists in 28 minutes of action. Her backcourt partner, Kaemyn Bekemeier of Republic, Missouri, provided a significant offensive lift with 13 points.

The inside presence was provided by 6-foot-3 center Lainie Douglas. The Overland Park, Kansas, native controlled the paint, scoring 19 points, dishing out two assists and recording a block. Her size and efficiency around the basket proved to be a constant challenge for the Eagles’ defense.

Coppin State kept the game competitive early, trailing by just four points after the first quarter and staying within striking distance throughout the first half. The Eagles were led by the backcourt duo of Mickelle Lowry and Sydney Burris. Lowry, a Baltimore native, poured in 19 points, while Burris, from Milwaukee, contributed 11 points and two assists in a team-high 31 minutes. Khila Morris of the Bronx, New York, also reached double figures for the Eagles, finishing with 10 points and three assists.

The game turned decisively in the third quarter. After taking a 32-24 lead into the break, Missouri State’s offense found another gear, erupting for 22 points in the period. Their defensive intensity also ramped up, holding Coppin State to sporadic scoring runs and preventing any sustained comeback attempt.

Missouri State’s depth was also a factor. Kendal Brueggen of Hesston, Kansas, provided a spark off the bench with five points, and the Lady Bears’ reserves contributed key minutes to maintain the team’s momentum throughout the contest.

The Lady Bears established their offensive superiority by scoring 26 points in the paint, capitalizing on their size advantage. They also capitalized on Coppin State’s mistakes, scoring 18 points off turnovers. The Eagles managed 18 points in the paint and 17 points off turnovers, but could not match Missouri State’s offensive consistency.

The game was part of a multi-team event for both squads. Missouri State was looking to bounce back from a loss to Florida State two days prior, while Coppin State entered the game following a lopsided defeat at Oklahoma.

An announced crowd of 868 at the Suncoast Credit Union Arena saw the Lady Bears methodically dismantle the Eagles’ defense in the second half, using a balanced inside-outside attack and stifling defense to secure their sixth win of the young season.

The win gives Missouri State positive momentum as they continue a challenging stretch of non-conference games. Coppin State will look to regroup and find its first win against a Division I opponent this season when it returns home for its next contest.