WICHITA -- Wichita State (8-13, 2-7) used a game-high 24 points from Kiki Stephens and four Jacie Hoyt free throws in the final seconds to win its fifth-straight game over Missouri State (6-14, 4-5), 73-69, Saturday afternoon inside Charles Koch Arena.

The Shockers were led by Stephens' season-best 24 points, while Marcy Sudbeck chipped in 13, her best scoring effort since the season opener. Hoyt posted 10 points on the afternoon. Missouri State was led by Tahnee Balerio's team-best 22 points, while Maggie Dwyer and Tiff Terlwelp each ended in double figures for the Lady Bears.

WSU shot 55-percent from the field in the second half, outscoring the Lady Bears 48-34. The Shockers had a season-best 20 assists on 25 baskets, while the Wichita State bench outscored Missouri State reserves 27-14.

The teams traded baskets in the opening minutes, as Missouri State held the Shockers to just one bucket in their first eight attempts, five of which came from 3-point range.

A Jacque Griggs jumper with 10:40 left sparked a 10-2 run for the Lady Bears, helping MSU claim a 20-13 edge following a Dwyer free throw with 8:14 remaining in the first.

WSU answered by ripping off six-straight points to pull within 20-19 at the 5:17 mark, but Missouri State reclaimed its cushion with six-consecutive points in transition, pushing the Lady Bears to a 27-19 advantage by the three-minute mark of the first.

The teams traded points for the remainder of the half as the Lady Bears took a 35-25 lead into the break.

The Shockers opened the second half on a spirited 13-3 run, and tied the game at 38-38 following Jacie Hoyt's 3-pointer with 17:16 left to play. The teams traded scores for much of the next 10 minutes until the Shockers hit back-to-back 3-pointers as part of an 11-2 run to take a 63-58 edge with 6:20 left in the second.

The squads again went back-and-forth until the Shockers capitalized on a MSU turnover with a pair of Jacie Hoyt free throws with :21 seconds left to seal the win.

WSU is next in action at 7:35 p.m., Friday night at Evansville. The game will be broadcast live as part of the Missouri Valley Conference television package on FSN.