As each of the 256 pieces of wood floor were meticulously put into place, Missouri State's new JQH Arena looked more and more like a basketball arena.

The new playing court completed was first installed Oct. 20 and remained for a few days so lights from the upper reaches of the arena could be aligned.

It then was removed and stored, so cleaning could be finished, and not put back down until Nov. 17 --five days prior to the first basketball game, MSU's meeting with Arkansas.

Randy Blackwood, executive director of athletics and entertainment facilities, said the court was manufactured in Wisconsin and painted in Utah.

The court is similar in paint scheme to the one at Hammons Student Center, with a few notable differences. The Bear head logo in the center is slightly larger and the Missouri Valley Conference logo is located in the lanes rather than outside the lanes. Like at HSC, the words "Missouri State" are painted on both baselines.

"Our biggest challenge was making sure we had the right maroon, the same shade of maroon, as Hammons Student Center," Blackwood said.

The 3-point line for women, at 19 feet 9 inches, is painted white and the men's line, at the new NCAA-mandated distance of 20-9, is painted maroon.

Coach Cuonzo Martin is looking forward to the extra space.

When the student bleachers on the west end are folded up, there will be room for a half-sized wood court with two portable goals.

"We certainly like to utilize all the space we can get," Martin said.

Senior guard Chris Cooks said he was so excited that he purposely stayed away from JQH.

"I don't want to go over there until it's time," Cooks said. "I look at is as a blessing. Coming from where I came from (Idabel, Okla.), where we had such a small gym, this is going to be wonderful."

Lady Bears senior Maggie Dwyer was also ready.

"I saw it a while ago when they were first putting it together," Dwyer said.

The Lady Bears' first game on the new floor is Sunday against Arkansas State.