WEST PLAINS, Mo. – The Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly Basketball team upped it’s record to 10-3 Tuesday evening, Dec. 2, after defeating Cowley College of Arkansas City, Kansas, 90-65 at the Joe Paul Evans Arena in the West Plains Civic Center.

This is the Grizzlies’ second win over the Tigers in a week.  They defeated Cowley 93-77 Nov. 25 in Arkansas City.

“This was a great rebound win for our team,” Grizzly Basketball Head Coach Yancey Walker said, referring to the Grizzlies’ loss Saturday, Nov. 29, to Cloud County Community College, Concordia, Kansas, in the Grizzly Thanksgiving Classic.  “They really responded well with focus and urgency.  This game could have been a trap game, since we beat them by 16 a week ago and we were coming off a tough loss on Saturday.  I am very proud of how we responded.”

The Grizzlies struck first on a 3-pointer by sophomore guard Craig Eubanks and never looked back, as they continued building their lead while holding the Tigers in check defensively.  At halftime, the Grizzlies led 35-22, and they outscored Cowley 55-43 in the second half.

“Defensively, we adjusted to their offense and to how and when they were slipping ball screens and actually setting the screens,” Walker said.  “The guards did a good job of containing their dribbler, even when having to navigate the screen.  Our big guys did a great job of being in the right spot and communicating the action, as well.”

Overall, the Grizzlies hit 34 of 64 shots from the field for 53.1 percent, eight of 22 3-point attempts for 36.4 percent and 14 of 19 free throws for 73.7 percent.  They also recorded 33 rebounds (11 offensive), 21 assists, 10 steals, eight blocks and 12 turnovers.

Freshman forward Terrel Martin-Garcia led the Grizzly attack with 21 points and six rebounds.  Eubanks followed with 17 points, two rebounds, three assists, three steals and one block.  Freshman guard Jahir Cabeza added 15 points, five rebounds and one block to the stat sheet.

“We learned a lot from our last game,” Walker said.  “We didn’t force it from the perimeter and really attacked inside, scoring 44 points in the paint.  We were also very consistent and efficient from the free throw line.”

The Tigers hit 26 of 59 attempts from the field for 44.1 percent, one of 13 3-point attempts for 7.7 percent and 12 of 19 free throws for 63.2 percent.  They also had 27 rebounds (eight offensive), 14 assists, six steals and 16 turnovers.  Leading scorer was Mason Loewen with 21 points.

“Overall, we were pretty good defensively.  We didn’t let them penetrate our defense, and we capitalized on our transition opportunities,” Walker said.  “Also, they have three guys averaging double figures in scoring, but only one scored more than 10 points.”

The Grizzlies will travel north this weekend to compete in the Holiday Inn/Hampton Inn Reiver Classic in Council Bluffs, Iowa.  They will face Northeast Community College, Norfolk, Nebraska, at 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, and the hosting Iowa Western Community College Reivers at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6.  Their next home game will be 7 p.m. Dec. 10 against Independence Community College, Independence, Kansas.

For more information about the Grizzly Basketball program, visit the team’s website at http://wp.missouristate.edu/grizzly/bb.htm or call the Grizzly Basketball office at 417-255-7993.  Complete game statistics can be found at http://stats.njcaa.org/sports/mbkb/2014-15/div1/teams/missouristateuniversitywestplains.