Marquette University’s women’s basketball team has confirmed a home-and-home series with Missouri State, beginning with a matchup on November 13 in Springfield, Missouri. The game will mark the first meeting of the two programs this season and sets the stage for a later contest back in Milwaukee.
Both schools bring notable tournament pedigrees to the schedule. Missouri State has appeared in the NCAA tournament 18 times, the most recent run culminating in a Final Four appearance in 2001, while Marquette has logged 15 tournament trips of its own. The Bears have hung two Final Four banners, the latest of which dates back to 2001, underscoring a tradition of deep postseason runs.
Guiding the Bears is head coach Beth Cunningham, who has steered the program to four consecutive 20-win seasons and cultivated a reputation for steady improvement. Her experience and strategic acumen add a competitive edge to a team that consistently exceeds expectations.
Among the standout players for Missouri State is senior forward Kaemyn Bekemeier, who finished the previous season as the team’s top scorer and rebounder, averaging 17.4 points and 8.2 boards per game. Her impact has been recognized league-wide, earning her the preseason honor of CUSA Player of the Year.
For Marquette, the series represents more than an early-season test; it is a calculated move to enhance its NCAA tournament résumé. A victory over a program with a strong tournament history could provide the momentum and quality win needed to improve the Golden Eagles’ at-large prospects.
The upcoming clash will be closely watched by analysts and fans alike, as it pits a rising Missouri State squad against a Marquette team eager to translate early-season competition into postseason success.
Looking Ahead
As the November date approaches, both coaching staffs are finalizing lineups and preparing their squads for what promises to be a high-stakes encounter. The outcome will reverberate beyond the scoreboard, influencing conference rankings and future scheduling decisions.