OTTUMWA, Iowa – Defensive errors cost the Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly Basketball team a potential win over 24th-ranked Indian Hills Community College Tuesday night, Jan. 10, in Ottumwa, Iowa.
The Grizzlies, now 9-10 after their 112-92 loss, got off to another good start against the Warriors, going up 15-12 early in the first half, but miscues on defense allowed the Warriors to overcome the early deficit and take a 59-48 lead into the second half.
“It was about the defensive side last night,” Grizzly Basketball Head Coach Chris Popp said. “Defensive mistakes cost us the lead and allowed them to extend their lead in the first half. When you give up 60 percent from the floor and 50 percent from the three, you’re not going to win very many games. We’re going to have to clean up some things.”
The Grizzlies kept the second-half deficit around 8 to 11 points for most of the period, and even narrowed the lead to 6 at one point during the half. “Our guys battled and stayed within striking distance until the final few minutes when we were forced to take some chances to try to make something happen,” Popp explained.
Despite the loss there were some bright spots during the contest. The Grizzlies took better care of the ball and out-rebounded their taller opponents 31-21. “There were two or three possessions we let the ball get away from us against their press, but for the most part we handled it well,” Popp said. “And, we won on the glass against a bigger team. I have to applaud our guys for that. I challenged them in that area, and they got it done. I’m happy about that.”
Redshirt freshman guard Lane Duncan and freshman point guard Quinton Gray continued to power the Grizzlies with their performances on the court. Duncan netted 19 points and grabbed a team-leading eight rebounds in the contest, while Gray scored 16 points and recorded three assists. “Once again, Lane played really well, and Quinton had a solid game. Both looked good on the stat sheet. That can, at times, be deceiving, but they were both very solid all around last night,” the coach said. “They both were very efficient offensively. Between them, they were 7-11 from the three.”
Sophomore forward Stefan Lakic also had a good showing, leading the team in scoring with 20 points, and sophomore guard Dwayne Orija added 13 to the Grizzlies’ tally. For the game, the Grizzlies shot 49.1 percent from the field, 45.5 percent from 3-point range and 82.4 percent from the free throw line.
The Warriors had six players in double figures: Tre Hansbrough with 21 points, Antonio Williams with 18, Chris McNeal 17, Jamel Allen 14, Richardson Maitre 13 and Kenny Wormley 10. For the game, the Warriors shot 60.7 percent from the field, 50 percent from 3-point range, and 79.4 percent from the charity stripe.
The Grizzlies will host their first Region 16 contest of the season Saturday, Jan. 14, when the sixth ranked Mineral Area College Cardinals come to town for a 7 p.m. game in Joe Paul Evans Arena at the West Plains Civic Center.
“Mineral Area is another long, athletic, talented team. They’ve earned their No. 6 ranking,” Popp said. “We’re going to have to play better than we did last night to have a chance to win.”
For more information about the Grizzly Basketball program, visit the team’s website or call 417-255-7991. Complete box scores of the games can be found online, as well.