LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly Basketball team put together a late, second-half charge to defeat Arkansas Baptist University 72-69 Wednesday, Jan. 12, in Little Rock, Ark.

The victory ups the Grizzlies’ season record to 18-2.
“Our guys really came together at the end to finish them off,” Grizzly Basketball Head Coach Yancey Walker said.  “We knew that Arkansas Baptist would be a tough place to play, especially now that they have their entire team back.”

The Grizzlies actually found themselves in jeopardy of losing the contest when they were suddenly down 8 points with three minutes remaining in the game.  But they battled back with tenacious defense and took advantage of some late opportunities to make up the deficit at the end.

“I was proud of our execution at the very end,” Walker said.  “We trapped and got steals and made those shots down the stretch.  The last play was called for Demetrice Jacobs, and when he was double teamed in the lane, he made a great pass to Westley Hinton in the corner for a huge three to give us the lead.”

The Grizzlies shouldn’t have been in that position, however, Walker said.  “We allowed them to hang around for too long.  We had them down 4 points with the ball in the first half and didn’t capitalize.  We let them get the ‘feel good’ going, and then they started making some shots that they aren’t used to making.”

Hinton’s three-pointer was one of seven the Grizzlies hit for the evening off 23 attempts for 30 percent.  Overall, the Grizzlies were 26 of 64 from the field for 41 percent and 14 of 21 from the free throw line for 67 percent.  They also recorded seven assists and 15 turnovers.
“We took advantage of our opportunities at the free throw line,” Walker said.

Sophomore Lonnie Hayes, Jr., led the team in scoring with 18 points, followed by Jacobs with 15 and Wilkins with 10.
Arkansas Baptist made 29 shots from the field, five three-pointers and was eight of 14 from the free throw line.  The team also had 21 turnovers.  The team’s leading scorers were Chris

Davis with 18 points, Chase Norwood 14, Nick Young 12, and Nick McKenzie and John Calamese each with 10.
The Grizzlies will open Region 16 competition this weekend on the road with a 7 p.m. contest at Mineral Area College in Park Hills, Mo.  “As always, we have to continue to get better because now the games count toward post-season, as well,” the coach said.  “We know, as the No. 5 team in the nation, that we will have a target on our backs from here on out.  Mineral Area’s record to this point is irrelevant.  They are at full strength now, and they will be ready to play at home.  We have to be ready, too!”

For more information about the Grizzly Basketball program, visit the team’s website at http://www.wp.missouristate.edu/grizzly/bb.htm or call the Grizzly Basketball office at 417-255-7993.