Preview: Missouri State Lady Bears at Delaware Blue Hens NEWARK, Del. (Interstat) — Two Conference USA women’s basketball teams on contrasting trajectories will meet Friday night when the Missouri State Lady Bears visit the Delaware Blue Hens at the Bob Carpenter Center. Missouri State (12-7, 4-2 CUSA) aims to rebound from a two-game skid, including a 60-51 home loss to Louisiana Tech last Thursday. The Lady Bears had won three straight prior to the recent setbacks. Guard Faith Lee, a key offensive catalyst, scored 15 points in that loss and has averaged 11.3 points over her last six contests. Delaware (9-10, 3-3) enters with momentum from a two-game road sweep, most notably a 66-55 victory at Western Kentucky last Friday. Guard Trinity Vance erupted for a season-high 20 points in that win, highlighting a recent surge where she has averaged 12.7 points over her last three games. The matchup features a contrast in styles. Missouri State seeks to leverage its winning record and steady backcourt play, while the Blue Hens will rely on home-court advantage and the hot hand of Vance. Delaware has shown resilience, winning three of its last four after a five-game losing streak. This game is the first of a regular-season series between the teams, who will meet again in Springfield, Missouri, on Feb. 21. The result could prove pivotal for conference tournament seeding. Following this contest, Missouri State travels to face Liberty on Saturday. Delaware remains at home to host Florida International on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST Friday.