ST. LOUIS – Missouri State used a hot start to subdue a feisty Creighton outfit on Sunday morning, earning the Bears a 12-6 victory and the 2017 Great Rivers Lacrosse Conference Division II title.

Missouri State earns an automatic berth in the 16-team MCLA National Championships powered by Under Armour, which runs from May 8-13 in Orange County, Calif.

This is the Bears third trip to nationals and the first since 2010.

Missouri State took a 6-2 lead at the half and expanded the cushion to 11-4 after three quarters. The Blue Jays wouldn’t threaten the rest of the way.

The Bears will find out their seed and first round opponent at the MCLA Championships this evening when the brackets are unveiled on MCLA.us.

2017 Great Rivers Lacrosse Conference Tournament

Division II -- (Bracket)
April 29 – Semifinals – St. Louis, Mo.
#1 Missouri State d. #4 St. Louis, 16-3
#3 Creighton d. #2 Washington (Mo.), 1-0

April 30 – Finals – St. Louis, Mo.
#1 Missouri State d. #3 Creighton, 12-6