The Missouri State Lady Bears basketball team represents Missouri State University in NCAA Division I women's basketball. The team has a storied history making 2 NCAA Final Fours, reaching 18 NCAA Tournaments, and claiming 13 conference regular season titles. The Lady Bears compete in Conference USA.
History Missouri State, known as Southwest Missouri State (SMSU) until 2005, began play in women's basketball in 1969. The Lady Bears played in the Missouri AIAW state tournaments from 1970 to 1982, post-season AIAW regional tournaments in 1974, 1975 and 1981, and the AIAW Division II national tourney in 1981. In 1982, the Lady Bears joined the ranks of Division I programs in the NCAA. 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. They joined Conference USA in 2025.
Missouri State has made 18 appearances in the NCAA Tournament including six straight appearances from 1991 to 1996, four straight appearances from 1998 to 2001, as well as appearances in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2016, 2019, 2021, and 2022. The Lady Bears' tournament success is highlighted by two trips to the Final Four (1992, 2001), two Elite Eight appearances (1992, 2001) and five trips to the Sweet Sixteen (1992, 1993, 2001, 2019, 2021).
The Lady Bears have made 9 appearances in the WNIT (2002, 2005, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2023). They won the 2005 WNIT, 78–70, over West Virginia.
As of the end of the 2023–2024 season, they have an all-time record of 993–639 (.608).
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.
Postseason NCAA Tournament appearances The Bears have made eighteen appearances in the NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament, with a combined record of 20–18. 1991 #8 First RoundSecond Round #9 Tennessee Tech#1 Tennessee W 94–64L 47–551992 #8 First RoundSecond RoundSweet SixteenElite EightFinal Four #9 Kansas#1 Iowa#5 UCLA#2 Ole Miss#4 Western Kentucky W 75–59W 61–60W 83–57W 94–71 L 72–841993 #7 First RoundSecond RoundSweet Sixteen #10 Oklahoma State #2 Maryland#6 Louisiana Tech W 86–71W 86–82L 43–591994 #6 First RoundSecond Round #11 Northern Illinois#3 Virginia W 75–56 L 63–671995 #9 First RoundSecond Round #8 Utah#1 Colorado W 49–47L 34–781996 #12 First Round #5 Texas L 55–731998 #8 First Round #9 Notre Dame L 64–781999 #7 First RoundSecond Round #10 UC Santa Barbara#2 Colorado State W 72–70 L 70–862000 #10 First Round #7 Auburn L 74–782001 #5 First RoundSecond RoundSweet SixteenElite EightFinal Four #12 Toledo#4 Rutgers#1 Duke#6 Washington#3 Purdue W 89–71W 60–53W 81–71W 104–87L 64–812003 #15 First Round #2 Texas Tech L 59–672004 #12 First Round #5 Notre Dame L 65–69OT2006 #13 First Round #4 Purdue L 52–732016 #13 First Round #4 Texas A&M L 65–742019 #11 First RoundSecond RoundSweet Sixteen #6 DePaul#3 Iowa State#2 Stanford W 89–77W 69–60L 46–552021 #5 First RoundSecond RoundSweet Sixteen #12 UC Davis#13 Wright State#1 Stanford W 70–51W 64–39L 62–892022 #11 First FourFirst Round #11 Florida State#6 Ohio State W 61–50L 56–632026 #16 First FourFirst Round #16 Stephen F. Austin#1 Texas W 85–75L 45–87
WBIT results The Bears have made two appearances in the Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT), with a combined record of 1–2. 2024 First Round Illinois L 69–742025 First RoundSecond Round Oral RobertsMinnesota W 107–76L 71–78 AIAW Division II tournament results The Bears made one appearance in the AIAW National Division II basketball tournament, with a combined record of 0–1. 1981 First Round College of Charleston L 55–70
Retired numbers Missouri State has retired four numbers, which now hang in the rafters of the Lady Bear's home, Great Southern Bank Arena. Additionally, former head coach, Cheryl Burnett was honored with a retired jersey in recognition of her leadership of the Lady Bear's program.
(#10) Jackie Stiles
AP Player of the Year (2001) 3x- All American Wade Trophy Winner (2001) Women's Basketball Hall of Fame (2016) Missouri Valley Conference Hall of Fame Missouri Sports Hall of Fame WNBA Rookie of the Year (2001) 3x- Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year
Player of the Year Award in MVC now bears her name 4x- All Conference First Team MVC All-Centennial Team MVC 25 Year Team
(#22) Kari Koch
1x- All-American 4x- All Conference First Team MVC Player of the Year (2004) MVC All-Centennial Team MVC 25 Year Team
(#35) Melody Howard
2x- All-American 3x- All Conference MVC Player of the Year (1994) MVC All-Centennial Team MVC 25 Year Team Missouri Valley Conference Hall of Fame Missouri Sports Hall of Fame
(#42) Jeanette Tendai
2x- All American 3x- All Conference MSU Hall of Fame Springfield Area Sport Hall of Fame MVC All-Centennial Team
(HC) Cheryl Burnett
Missouri State's winningest women's basketball coach 319–136 (.711) in 15 season 10 NCAA Tournaments 2 Final Fours 15 Conference Titles Led NCAA in attendance in 1992–1993 Mentored 8 All-Americans, 6 Academic All-Americans, 5 League MVPs and 26 first-team all MVC selections
+Lady Bears Retired NumbersNumberPlayerYears activeG-GSFG-FGAFG PCT3FG-3FGA3FG PCTFT-FTAFT PCTREBAVGPTSAVGATOBSMINMPG10Jackie Stiles1997–2001129–1281160–2188.530221–501.441852–997.8554793.7339326.329538123413332.035Melody Howard1990–1994127–123716–1527.469258–588.439254–315.8064033.2194415.33562928371029.242Janette Tendai1982–1986110–97726–1468.495--- ---317–414.7669108.3176916.19325627 --- ---HCCheryl BurnetHead Coach: 1987–2002 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Year by year results
References
External links