CHICAGO, Ill. – The Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly Basketball team will go into its annual homecoming game Saturday, Jan. 16, with a 14-6 record after defeating Richard J. Daley College 79-44 Tuesday evening, Jan. 12, in Chicago, Ill.
The Grizzlies used a strong defensive rebounding effort to hold the Bulldogs at bay, especially in the second half. “Our rebounding was pretty impressive. We held them scoreless for seven minutes, then we had another five-minute stretch in the second half,” Grizzly Basketball Head Coach Yancey Walker said. “A lot of that was due to our defensive rebounding. The best part about that was that everyone was involved. (Freshman forward) Mike Parks gave us the spark on the defensive end, but our guards rebounded well during those stretches, as well.”
That defensive effort held the Bulldogs to just 18 points in the second half, allowing the Grizzlies to expand on their 34-26 advantage at halftime. “We started off not finishing well in the first half. We rushed several outside shots because their rotations were a little slow in their zone. As the game went on, the ball didn’t stick in one spot, and we ended up with 25 assists on 29 baskets,” Walker said.
Game statistics show the Grizzlies connected on 29 of 61 shots from the field for 47.5 percent, 12 of 34 3-point attempts for 35.3 percent and nine of 11 free throw attempts for 81.8 percent. In addition to the 25 assists, they also recorded 50 rebounds, two blocks, nine steals and 11 turnovers. Leading scorers were freshman forward Devonte Campbell with 20 points, sophomore forward Terrel Martin-Garcia with 19 and sophomore forward Ngor Barnaba with 11.
The Bulldogs hit 13 of 58 shots from the field for 22.4 percent, seven of 26 attempts from 3-point range for 26.9 percent and 11 of 16 free throw attempts for 68.8 percent. They also had 30 rebounds, eight assists, five steals and 13 turnovers. Leading scorers were Stephen Ramsey with 13 points, and Jason Allen with 12.
Saturday’s homecoming game against Region 16 arch rival Three Rivers College of Poplar Bluff will get underway at 7 p.m. in Joe Paul Evans Arena at the West Plains Civic Center. The Raiders, who are 16-5 overall and were at one time ranked in the national poll, are 3-1 in region play while the Grizzlies are 0-2 in the region. “We have a very important game Saturday,” Walker said. “We have to have the same defensive focus we had in Chicago.”
In addition to the game, which is being sponsored by the Ozark Horse Trader, the 2016 Missouri State University-West Plains Homecoming King and Queen will be crowned at halftime.
For more information about the Grizzly Basketball program, visit the team’s website or call the Grizzly Basketball office at 417-255-7993. Complete game statistics can be found here.