WEST PLAINS, Mo. – An impressive performance behind the 3-point arc by sophomore Twann Oakley helped lift the Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly Basketball team over Arkansas Baptist College of Little Rock, Ark., 83-63 Saturday night, Feb. 19, at the West Plains Civic Center arena.

The Grizzlies, the No. 1 junior college team in the nation, are now 26-2 for the season.

Oakley, a 6-foot, 4-inch guard from Memphis, Tenn., connected on all six of his 3-point attempts for the evening.  “Twann was exceptional from behind the 3-point line,” Grizzly Basketball Head Coach Yancey Walker said.  “Expecting six for six from out there every game is a little unrealistic, but three or four wouldn’t be.  I expect him to continue shooting well as we finish these last two games and head into the Region 16 Tournament.”

Oakley led the Grizzlies in scoring with 20 points.  Sophomores Travis Wilkins, Demetrice Jacobs and Quinton Pippen followed with 15, 13 and 10 points, respectively.

Overall, the Grizzlies hit 30 of 59 shots from the field for 51 percent, 14 of 27 from 3-point range for 52 percent and nine of 17 from the free throw line for 53 percent.  They also recorded 13 assists and 17 turnovers.

Arkansas Baptist was led by Nick Young with 25 points, followed by Chase Norwood with 12 and Chris Davis 10.  Arkansas Baptist shot 26 of 56 from the field for 46 percent and three of 13 from 3-point range for 23 percent.  From the free throw line, the team was eight of 15 for 53 percent.  Arkansas Baptist also had two assists and 23 turnovers.
“Outside of Nick Young, they didn’t shoot that well from the field,” Walker said.  “Once he was under control, we were able to make the run to extend the lead to 20.  They presented some tough matchups for us in some situations.  Most of their players can play on the perimeter and attack the basket.”

Walker said fans shouldn’t let the 20-point difference in the final score or Arkansas’ statistics fool them about the competitive nature of Saturday’s game.  “Too many times Arkansas Baptist gets overlooked and is underappreciated,” the coach explained.  “They came to play, as we knew they would.  They gave us their best shot, and it took a long time to put them away.”

Walker also thanked the West Plains Civic Center for sponsoring Saturday’s game.

The Grizzlies have two more games left in the regular season and both are key Region 16 contests at home.  They will host Mineral Area College of Park Hills, Mo., at 7 p.m. today, Feb. 22, and Moberly Area Community College of Moberly, Mo., at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, in the regular season finale.  Both games will be at the civic center.

“I hope everyone will come out Tuesday night and watch us play Mineral Area at 7 p.m.,” Walker said.  “We have secured first place in the region tournament, but Mineral Area is fighting to host the quarterfinal game instead of having to play at Three Rivers (Community College) again.  Mineral Area is a very dangerous team.  Don’t be deceived by the team’s record.  It will be an exciting game!”

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.