If you’ve ever stood in the student section at Great Southern Bank Arena, you know that Missouri State basketball isn't just a game. It's a localized religion. The missouri state university lady bears basketball schedule for the 2025-26 season is currently in the thick of a massive transition year, and honestly, if you aren't paying attention to the specific dates on the calendar right now, you’re missing the most competitive stretch of hoops we've seen in Springfield in a minute.
The Lady Bears have officially moved. No, not the stadium—the conference. After decades of being the "queen bees" of the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC), Beth Cunningham’s squad has shifted into Conference USA (CUSA). That changes everything about how we look at the schedule.
The CUSA Shift: Navigating the New Missouri State University Lady Bears Basketball Schedule
You’ve probably noticed the names on the ticket stubs look a little different this year. Gone are the annual slugfests with Drake and UNI. Instead, the Lady Bears are logging some serious miles. We’re talking about trips to El Paso and Lynchburg.
Right now, as of mid-January 2026, the team is entering the "meat" of the conference slate. They’ve already handled business against Kennesaw State and Jacksonville State at home, but the road is where this season will be won or lost.
Upcoming Key Games for January and February 2026:
On January 15, the Lady Bears are out in Texas taking on UTEP at the Don Haskins Center. That’s an 8:00 PM tip-off. If you’re watching from Springfield, get the coffee ready because that West Texas time zone is a factor.
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Two days later, on January 17, they’re in Las Cruces to face New Mexico State.
Then comes the homecoming. Mark your calendars for January 22. Louisiana Tech comes to Springfield. This is basically the "Old School vs. New School" matchup of the CUSA. Tech has the history, but Missouri State has the current momentum under Coach Cunningham.
Why the Home Stand in late January Matters
The end of January is kinda the make-or-break window. After the LA Tech game, the Lady Bears host Sam Houston on January 24 at 1:00 PM. Weekend afternoon games in Springfield are usually loud. You should be there.
Then the travel gets weird again. A flight to Delaware on January 29, followed by a trip to Liberty on January 31. Liberty is currently at the top of the standings, so that Saturday afternoon game in Lynchburg is basically the "Game of the Week" for the entire conference.
Breaking Down the February Grind
If you think January is tough, February is a gauntlet.
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The missouri state university lady bears basketball schedule for February 2026 features a heavy dose of home cooking early on, which the team will desperately need after that East Coast road trip.
- February 5: Middle Tennessee (MTSU) at Springfield, 6:30 PM.
- February 7: Western Kentucky (WKU) at Springfield, 1:00 PM.
- February 19: The rematch with Liberty at home.
- February 21: Delaware comes to the Great Southern Bank Arena.
MTSU and WKU are historically dominant programs in CUSA. Seeing them come to the Ozarks is a new experience for Lady Bears fans. These aren't the mid-major games of the past; these are high-stakes battles for seeding in the CUSA Tournament.
The Lacy Stokes Factor
You can’t talk about the schedule without talking about Lacy Stokes. The senior point guard has been the engine of this team. Following her 2024-25 MVC Defensive Player of the Year honors, she’s adapted to the CUSA physical style of play remarkably well.
When you look at the schedule, pay attention to the back-to-back road games. Stokes’ ability to manage the tempo and stay out of foul trouble is the only reason the Lady Bears have a winning record on the road this year. Honestly, her leadership is the "secret sauce" keeping this transition season from falling off the rails.
Where to Watch and How to Get Tickets
Most of the games are streaming on ESPN+, which is pretty standard now. But if you’re a purist, KWTO 93.3 FM is still the place for the radio call.
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Tickets are surprisingly affordable despite the move to a more competitive conference. You can grab seats for home games at the Great Southern Bank Arena starting around $30, though those prices jump when the big names like Liberty or MTSU come to town.
Pro Tip for Fans: If you're planning on going to the regular-season finale, it’s away this year. The Lady Bears finish the season on the road at Western Kentucky (March 5) and Middle Tennessee (March 7). If they’re fighting for a regular-season title, those two games in Tennessee and Kentucky will be electric.
Final Stretch and Postseason Outlook
The ultimate goal on the missouri state university lady bears basketball schedule is, of course, the CUSA Tournament. That’s happening March 10-14, 2026, in Huntsville, Alabama.
Winning that tournament is the only guaranteed way into the NCAA Tournament. The Lady Bears have the depth—thanks to players like Grace Slaughter and the defensive grit of Stokes—to make a deep run.
Actionable Steps for Lady Bears Fans:
- Check the Tip-off Times: CUSA spans multiple time zones. Always double-check if the game is Central, Eastern, or Mountain time so you don't miss the first quarter.
- Download the Varsity Network App: This is the easiest way to catch the radio broadcast if you aren't near a traditional radio.
- Plan for Huntsville: If the team stays in the top three of the standings through February, start looking at hotels in Huntsville for the second week of March.
- Watch the Standings: Keep a close eye on Liberty and MTSU. Those are the two teams Missouri State has to leapfrog to claim the crown.
The Lady Bears have always been the pride of Springfield. This new chapter in Conference USA is just getting started, and the schedule is the roadmap to see if they can maintain their legacy in a brand-new neighborhood.