SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Keith Pickens had 18 points with seven rebounds and Christian Kirk added 12 points as Missouri State defeated Drake 69-63 on Wednesday night.

The Bears (17-8, 7-6 Missouri Valley) outrebounded Drake 35-27 and went 23 of 29 from the foul line. Jarmar Gulley finished with 11 points.

Drake (12-13, 3-10) shot 52.2 percent from the field, but went 9 of 17 on free throws and committed 13 turnovers. Aaron Hawley scored 18 points and Richard Carter chipped in 17.

Missouri State moved out to a 56-48 lead at the midway mark in the second half, but the Bulldogs countered with an 8-2 run to pull within two after a Carter layup with 4:32 remaining.

Pickens sank two free throws to give the Bears a six-point lead, but Hawley responded with a 3-pointer. Pickens answered by making layups on the next two possessions to ice the game.