<p>SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Jasmine Franklin scored a career-high 25 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, and No. 23 Missouri State beat Loyola Chicago 64-50 on Saturday to set a program record for its best start in Missouri Valley Conference play.</p>
<p>Missouri State (17-2, 13-0) broke a tie with the 1995-96 team to set the record. On Wednesday, the Lady Bears claimed their 14th MVC regular-season championship.</p>
<p>Franklin (13) and Abby Hipp combined to score 20 first-half points, including MSU’s final 16 for a 29-25 lead. Franklin set her season high in the third, reaching 21 points on 9-of-11 shooting, and she put her team ahead by double figures for good with 2:16 remaining in the fourth.</p>
<p>Hipp finished with 12 points and seven rebounds, and Emily Gartner added 13 points for Missouri State. Franklin moved into ninth on the school’s career rebounding list with 703.</p>
<p>Allison Day had 13 points and eight rebounds, and Ellie Rice added 11 for Loyola Chicago (10-9, 8-7). Bre Hampton-Bey scored 10.</p>
<p>The teams face off again on Sunday, and then Missouri State plays back-to-back games against Evansville starting Friday to close its regular season. </p>
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<p>More AP women’s basketball: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball">https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/AP_Top25">https://twitter.com/AP_Top25</a></p>
