Missouri State Lady Bears basketball


The Missouri State Lady Bears basketball team is the NCAA Division I women's basketball program of Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. The Bears compete in the Missouri Valley Conference.

History

Missouri State began play in women's basketball in 1969. The Lady Bears played in the MIAWA and AIAW state tournament from 1970-1982 before beginning Division I play in 1982. 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 postseason appearances in the NCAA Tournament in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, and 2016. They made the Final Four in 1992 and 2001.
The Lady Bears have made the WNIT in 2002, 2005, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2015. They won the 2005 WNIT 78-70 over West Virginia. As of the end of the 2019-2020 season, they have an all-time record of 876–602.

1992 Final Four

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

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. They have made the WNIT in 2002, 2005, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2015. They won the 2005 WNIT 78-70 over West Virginia. As of the end of the 2018-2019 season, they have an all-time record of 895–605.

NCAA Tournament appearances

Retired numbers