AUSTIN, Texas — Missouri State coach Beth Cunningham returns to the University of Texas nearly 29 years after leading Notre Dame to an 86-83 upset victory over Texas in the 1997 NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16. On Tuesday, she was back in Austin, but this time as the coach of the No. 16 seed Lady Bears (22-12), facing another challenge as an underdog.
Before a potential matchup against the No. 1 seed and host Longhorns (31-3) on Friday, Missouri State must first defeat No. 16 seed Stephen F. Austin (25-9) in a First Four play-in game on Wednesday at 8 p.m. CT, broadcast on ESPN2. Stephen F. Austin’s campus is located 230 miles from the University of Texas in Nacogdoches.
Missouri State is a 2.5-point betting favorite against Stephen F. Austin, a Southland Conference team making its fourth NCAA Tournament appearance since 2021. The Lady Bears and Lumberjacks both entered their respective tournaments as non-regular season champions, gaining momentum at the right time.
Connections Between the Teams
The tournament pod features several connections beyond the MSU-SFA matchup. Stephen F. Austin associate head coach Steve Yang is a 2006 Missouri State graduate and former Lady Bears director of basketball operations. Missouri State senior Angel Scott previously played for Stephen F. Austin under current Lumberjacks head coach Leonard Bishop. Virginia Tech assistant coach Darren Guensch was previously Missouri State’s associate head coach alongside Cunningham. Texas senior guard Ashton Judd is the daughter of a member of the 1999 Missouri State team that reached the Sweet 16.
Missouri State is a long and physical team that has struggled with turnovers (17.7 per game), while Stephen F. Austin is a guard-heavy, up-tempo team averaging 74 points per game and attempting 25.2 three-pointers per game, led by Harmanie Dominguez, who has made 97 of 262 attempts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is at stake for Missouri State in this game?
A win against Stephen F. Austin would advance Missouri State to play the No. 1 seed, Texas, on Friday.
What did Missouri State coach Beth Cunningham say about Stephen F. Austin?
Cunningham described Stephen F. Austin as a “talented team, very guard-oriented” that “loves to shoot the 3 and play with tempo.” She also noted that Angel Scott, a player on her team, previously played for SFA.
What did Stephen F. Austin coach Leonard Bishop say about Missouri State?
Bishop highlighted Missouri State’s “length, athleticism,” and noted that they “secure out in transition and are gritty on the defensive end.”
As both teams prepare for Wednesday’s matchup, what role will familiarity with opponents and shared connections play in the outcome of the game?
