Givens Scores 23 as Marquette Defeats Missouri State 70-58

MacKenzie Givens scored a season-high 23 points to lead the Marquette Golden Eagles to a 70-58 victory over the Missouri State Lady Bears at Great Southern Bank Arena on Friday night. The junior guard converted 9 of her 13 field goal attempts, including a flawless 2-for-2 mark from three-point range, to guide Marquette in a competitive non-conference matchup in Springfield.

The win marked Marquette's first road victory of the 2026–27 campaign and showcased an offense capable of executing under pressure away from home. Marquette seized momentum early in the contest and held firm through multiple defensive stands as Missouri State attempted to rally in front of its home crowd.

Missouri State opened the scoring in the initial minutes, but Marquette responded immediately with a commanding 14-0 run in the first quarter. That offensive burst shifted control of the tempo firmly into the hands of the Golden Eagles, forcing the Lady Bears to play from behind for the remainder of the evening.

The scoring barrage from Givens represented her seventh career game with at least 20 points, reinforcing her role as a primary scoring threat on the perimeter. Her balanced attack from both inside the arc and long distance kept Missouri State's defensive rotations off balance throughout all four quarters.

Marquette also received crucial contributions from its reserves, highlighted by Yu Han Lin providing nine points off the bench. That secondary scoring helped the Golden Eagles preserve their advantage whenever Missouri State threatened to close the gap during rotational shifts.

Missouri State fought back persistently behind balanced scoring of its own, trimming Marquette's cushion at several points in the second and third quarters. Kaemyn Bekemeier and Kendal Brueggen led the Lady Bears with 10 points each, working to sustain offensive rhythm against a tenacious Golden Eagles defense.

Despite those repeated surges from the hosts, Marquette maintained composure down the stretch and tightened its defensive rotations. The Golden Eagles limited second-chance opportunities in the fourth quarter and executed efficiently in the half-court to keep the Lady Bears at bay.

Securing a road win early in the non-conference slate provides significant momentum for Marquette as the team builds chemistry and tests its depth outside home territory. Navigating hostile environments and closing out tightly contested road games remains an essential proving ground for postseason aspirations.

For Missouri State, the contest offered valuable tape against a high-caliber opponent as the coaching staff continues refining its offensive schemes and defensive adjustments. With top scorers Bekemeier and Brueggen generating double-digit outputs, the Lady Bears demonstrated flashes of resilience that can translate into growth during upcoming fixtures.

Marquette now looks ahead to continuing its non-conference schedule with renewed confidence following its first successful road test of the season. The Golden Eagles will aim to build upon Givens' hot shooting hand and their steady collective defense as tournament preparations and conference play approach.