SEDALIA, Mo. – The Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly Basketball team overcame a poor first-half showing to defeat Region 16 rival State Fair Community College 94-84 Wednesday night in Sedalia.
The Grizzlies are now 2-3 in region play and 11-13 overall.
“We didn’t come out well in the first half,” Grizzly Basketball Head Coach Chris Popp said. “Although their pressure hurt us a bit, the bigger issue was that we didn’t follow our game plan defensively.” The result was a 33-42 deficit at halftime.
In the second half, though, the Grizzlies turned it around and out-scored the Roadrunners 61-42 to pick up the win. “Even though we scored a lot of points in the second half, it all started on the defensive end,” the coach said. “We did what we were supposed to do, and it translated into offense.”
Redshirt freshman guard Lane Duncan paced the Grizzlies, scoring 24 of his team-leading 30 points for the evening in the second half. “It helped that Lane got it going,” Popp said, noting Duncan’s six successful three pointers on nine attempts. “It was his career high,” the coach noted.
Sophomore forward Stefan Lakic also had a good night with 23 points. Freshman guard Darnell Butler rounded out the list of Grizzlies who scored in double figures with 11 points.
Popp also praised the efforts of point guards Ricky Torres and Quinton Gray. “Against a team that pressures, they had a combined total of 11 assists and only two turnovers. That’s pretty good at that spot,” the coach said.
The Roadrunners were led on the scoreboard by Onteral Woodson Jr. with 24 points, Russell Baker with 19, Amir Smith 17 and Vonny Irvin 13.
“You appreciate every win, but it’s great to get a road win in the region,” Popp said.
The Grizzlies are now gearing up for their annual homecoming game against Region 16 arch rival Three Rivers College at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at Joe Paul Evans Arena in the West Plains Civic Center. In their previous meeting this year in Poplar Bluff, the Grizzlies almost sent the Raiders into overtime. Instead, they came up short, 81-78.
Popp said he’s hoping the Grizzlies’ performance in the second half against State Fair will give his team a little momentum going into Saturday’s contest. “We have two days to get ready. That’s our focus now,” he said.
After a quick trip to ninth ranked Moberly Area Community College Feb. 15 in Moberly, the Grizzlies will close out their season with home games against St. Louis Community College Feb. 21, Moberly Feb. 24 and College of Faith Prep, West Memphis, Arkansas, Feb. 27. The latter is a make-up game from January.
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.