The Missouri State Bears (4-3) are set to face the Tulsa Golden Hurricane (7-1) in a crucial road matchup on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at the Donald W. Reynolds Center. This rivalry, dating back to 1932, features a close all-time series, with the Bears leading 22-21. Last year’s encounter culminated in a dramatic triple-overtime victory for Missouri State, setting multiple arena scoring records. The Bears are currently recognized for their impressive free throw rate, ranking 7th nationally, while coach Cuonzo Martin is approaching his 75th win at Missouri State.

By the Numbers
  • Missouri State ranks 7th in Division I for free throw rate at 52.8.
  • Kobi Williams leads Conference USA in free throw percentage at .871.
  • The Bears are averaging 13.0 offensive rebounds per game, ranking 87th nationally.
State of Play
  • The Bears are coming off a strong performance, emphasizing their ability to draw fouls.
  • Missouri State has displayed consistency with double-figure offensive rebounds in 6 of 7 games.
  • Keith Palek III ranks 6th in CUSA with an average of 17.0 points per game.
What's Next

After the Tulsa game, Missouri State will travel to Xavier on December 12 and host Oral Roberts on December 16, looking to build momentum as they approach the conference schedule.

Bottom Line

This Saturday’s game is pivotal for Missouri State, not only in terms of rivalry stakes but also in affirming their potential as a competitive force in the upcoming conference season. A victory would bolster their confidence and set a positive tone for the remaining games.