JONESBORO, Ark. (AP) — Anthony Downing came off the bench to score 15 points and lead Missouri State to a 77-46 victory over Arkansas State on Tuesday night.
Downing made 6 of 8 shots, including three 3-pointers, for the Bears (2-0).
Caleb Patterson scored 14 points, Michael Bizoukas 11 and Kyle Weems 10 for Missouri State, which enjoyed a 31-6 margin in bench scoring and a 41-36 rebounding advantage.
Malcoln Kirkland had 14 points and a game-high nine rebounds for the Red Wolves (0-2), who dropped their home opener. Trey Finn added 13 points.
After Arkansas State cut into a 15-point halftime deficit with a 7-2 run to start the second half, Missouri State responded with a 10-2 run of its own. Bizoukas and Nathan Scheer hit 3-pointers during that stretch and helped give the Bears a 48-30 edge with 13:11 left.
The Red Wolves shot just 29.4 percent (15 of 51).
