ST. LOUIS -- Indiana State defeated Missouri State 75-59 in the quarterfinals of the Missouri Valley Conference tournament.

Here are three reasons why the Sycamores (27-5) got it done Friday at Enterprise Arena in St. Louis:

MVC quarters: Indiana State shows that Robbie Avila is only a slice of how dangerous it can be

Robbie Avila's presence even amid early struggles

Every Indiana State game brings a similar plan for the opponent: Do whatever they can to limit Robbie Avila, known by some as the college mid-major version of Nikola Jokic.

This game, the Bears had the right matchup in theory with three key players standing 6-foot-8 or taller and with clear athletic advantages on the Indiana State star. And they showed that by limiting him to just eight points in the first half on 2-of-7 shooting, with a couple of highlight-reel swats at the rim.

But what has invited the Jokic comparisons is Avila's passing and court vision, and he worked that strength all game long. In the first half, it only led the Sycamores to 5-of-14 shooting on 3-point attempts. The numbers didn't get crazy in the second half, but Avila was able to zip some perfect passes for 3-pointers that ultimately became too much for a team of Missouri State's physical make-up to answer.

Avila finished with 14 points, four rebounds and two assists. It was not one of his banner performances on paper, but his ability to dictate the defensive personnel and game plan and find teammates for enough answers was still a huge part of the winning formula.

Suffocating defense early

Without the usual shot making that has powered the No. 1 efficiency offense in the country this season, the Sycamores had to lean more into the other end of the court to keep the Bears at bay. It was an ongoing challenge with the size and numbers Missouri State had inside, but Indiana State countered in the first half by taking away the lanes for them to get the ball inside.

Guards Julian Larry and Ryan Conwell applied suffocating pressure to the Missouri State guards, forcing the ball to whip around the perimeter for 3's that wouldn't fall, as well as a couple turnovers that led to fast-break points.

"You're not passing," Missouri State forward Donovan Clay said to his point guard, Matthew Lee, during one out-of-bounds play. "Pass the (bleeping) ball."

Clay, Cesare Edwards and N.J. Benson were a regular problem for Indiana State on both ends of the court, keeping this from becoming a blowout until the final eight minutes.

But ultimately, the Bears realized they couldn't only live inside, and that's when the turnovers and pace returned to Indiana State in the second half.

Passing, passing, passing

The shots weren't always falling for Indiana State. But after a choppy start with some forced actions to Avila that weren't working, the Sycamores settled in and showed what really makes them one of the most lethal offenses in the country:

Their passing. And not just from Avila.

The big man was strong in answering double teams with quick outlets to the corners for 3-point attempts, but where the Sycamores pulled away in the middle of the second half was when Larry started to see open teammates right and left and assert control. Indiana State used pace off stops on the defensive end and had slashers moving too quickly for Missouri State's oversized lineups. And Larry continued to find them for layups, and-one's and 3-pointers early in the shot clock.

He finished with nine assists. Avila had four. As a team, Indiana State had 10 on its first 11 made baskets of the second half and finished with 23 assists as a team.

That teamwork unleashed a terrific game out of Ryan Conwell, who finished with 20 points and dominated in the second half to help the Sycamores pull away.

Contact Nate Atkins at natkins@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @NateAtkins_.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana State: 3 reasons the Sycamores beat Missouri State