Kobi Williams scored a career-high 32 points, knocking down 7 of 9 shots from 3-point range, as Missouri State extended its winning streak to five games with an 89-82 victory over New Mexico State on Sunday.
The Bears (9-5, 3-0 Conference USA) also got 16 points from Keith Palek III, including 15 after halftime, while Trey Williams Jr. added 13 and Michael Osei-Bonsu finished with 12. Darrion Sutton chipped in a team-high nine rebounds.
New Mexico State (8-5, 1-2 CUSA) was led by Julius Mims, who had 22 points and 14 rebounds. Jemel Jones scored 18 points off the bench for the Aggies.
Missouri State led for nearly the entire game but had to withstand a second-half surge. New Mexico State erased a 12-point halftime deficit and briefly took a one-point lead on free throws by Anthony Wrzeszcz with just over 10 minutes remaining.
Palek answered by scoring 13 straight Missouri State points during a pivotal seven-minute stretch to put the Bears back in control. Williams followed with six consecutive points to help push the lead to five with four minutes to play.
Antwan Burnett delivered a key 3-pointer with just over two minutes left, then forced a turnover on the defensive end to help seal the win. Missouri State closed out the game at the free-throw line to secure its first 3-0 start in conference play since the 2017-18 season.
Williams’ seven 3-pointers were one shy of the school record, and his 32 points marked the highest single-game total by a Bear since January 2024.
Missouri State shot 46 percent from the field and 48 percent from beyond the arc, while New Mexico State finished at 46 percent overall.
The Bears will play at Kennesaw State on Wednesday before returning home Saturday to face FIU.
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