WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Missed opportunities almost cost the Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly Basketball team its third loss of the season.

But the nation’s top junior college team showed why it has held that position for the last four weeks when it held off Region 16 rival Mineral Area College, Park Hills, Mo., 67-64 Tuesday night, Feb. 22, at the West Plains Civic Center arena.

The Grizzlies are now 27-2 overall, matching its best ever season record, and 7-0 in region play.
“This was just an ugly game,” Grizzly Basketball Head Coach Yancey Walker said.  “We had our chances to put them away, but we just didn’t do it.

“For one reason or another, our games with Mineral Area are always close, no matter what the talent levels are,” he added.  “In fact, two of the last four have been overtime games.  They are a dangerous team that no one will want to see in the postseason.”

Statistically, the figures seem to indicate the Grizzlies played well.  “We had less than 10 turnovers, we only gave up seven offensive rebounds, and we shot a good percentage from the free throw line.  On top of that, we held them to 38 percent from the field and 33 percent from the three and forced them into 12 turnovers.  But we can’t be satisfied with that because we didn’t play to our potential,” Walker said.

“We let them dictate too much of our pace offensively,” he explained.  “We settled for way too many jumpers and didn’t attack inside out.  Travis (Wilkins) was three of four in the first half and was only one of one in the second.  We hit a run of threes early in the second half and then fell in love with the outside jumper.”

Overall, the Grizzlies connected on 21 of 53 shots from the field and 11 of 36 attempts from 3-point range.  At the free throw line, they were 14 of 18 for 78 percent.  In addition, the Grizzlies recorded 11 assists and nine turnovers.

Meanwhile, the Cardinals hit 23 of 60 attempts from the field for 38 percent, five of 15 3-point tries for 33 percent, 15 of 27 shots from the free throw line for 56 percent.  They also had 12 turnovers and just three assists.

Sophomore Lonnie Hayes, Jr., led the Grizzlies’ scoring efforts with 16 points.  Fellow sophomores Quinton Pippen and Travis Wilkins added 14 and 10 points, respectively.

Darrion Hooker led the Cardinals with 19 points, and Drew Thomas scored 17.

One major advantage the Grizzlies had, Walker said, was the tremendous home crowd.  “You were awesome at the very end when we needed it most,” he said.  “We are going to need you again this Saturday.”

The Grizzlies will close out the regular season at home Saturday, Feb. 26, against the Greyhounds from Moberly Area Community College in Moberly, Mo.  The game begins at 7 p.m. in the civic center arena and will be sponsored by Hirsch Feed & Farm Supply.

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.