MOBERLY, Mo. – It’s never easy playing catch-up on the road, and it’s a lesson the Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly Basketball team learned Wednesday night, Feb. 7, when they fell to the No. 9 Moberly Area Community College Greyhounds 119-95 at Moberly.
The loss drops the Grizzlies’ overall season record to 20-6 and their Region 16 record to 2-3.
“We got off to a slow start,” Grizzly Basketball Head Coach Chris Popp said. “They came right at us from the tip, and we didn’t look ready for it. By the time we responded, they had an offensive flow and were going.”
THE GAME
The Greyhounds already had 11 points on the board before the Grizzlies scored their first points of the game. The Grizzlies eventually pulled within 2 points, but Moberly went on another extended scoring run, going up by as many as 20 points later in the first half and entering the break with a 58-39 lead.
“After the slow start, it was back-and-forth, but we struggled to get it under the initial 10-point spread,” Popp said. “It seemed like every time we made a run, they hand an answer – an offensive rebound, a quick bucket, a deep three, coming up with a loose ball, those are the winning plays at crucial moments that you have to make. It is also difficult to win on the road, or anytime, with 23 turnovers and shooting 16 of 29 from the free throw line.”
Statistics show the Greyhounds sank 14 three-point shots for the game, while the Grizzlies nailed seven.
“Give them credit, they shot the heck out of it, and they beat us on the glass. They made more tough plays than we did,” Popp said. “Moberly is the toughest team we’ve played, and you have to match that toughness to have a chance, especially on the road.”
STATISTICS
Four Grizzlies scored in double figures. Redshirt freshman guard Radshad Davis led the way with 21 points, followed by freshman forward Dontell Brown with 19. Freshman guard Eric Lovett contributed 16 points and eight rebounds, and sophomore point guard Ricky Torres scored 15 to go with 16 assists.
“We had a few players step up in that environment. Radshad, Ricky and Dontell all played well. In a game like that, the toughest players stick out,” Popp said. “Ricky eclipsed our single-game assist record with 16. Eric also had his best complete game of the year. He’s had higher scoring games, but that was by far his best all around performance.”
Popp pointed out Wednesday’s game at Moberly was the third straight region road game for the Grizzlies, “and we’ve had slow starts in all of them. That has to change Saturday.”
UPCOMING GAMES
That’s when they will play Region 16 arch rival Three Rivers College at 7 p.m. in Poplar Bluff. “It’s been a rough three-game stretch. The only approach I know is to come back today, go to work to find a way to get better and win the next one,” the coach said.
After Saturday’s game, the Grizzlies will return home Feb. 14 to Joe Paul Evans Arena at the West Plains Civic Center for a 7 p.m. contest against region rival State Fair Community College from Sedalia.
A road contest with Missouri Community College Athletic Association (MCCAC) rival St. Louis Community College is set for 7 p.m. Feb. 20. Then, the Grizzlies will close out the season at home with a rematch against Moberly at 7 p.m. Feb. 24.
“Two of our last three region games are at home, and we’re tied for second in the region right now. That makes this Three Rivers game larger than it always is,” Popp said. “Two at home and a rivalry game on the road – everything is in our hands.”
For complete statistics of the Grizzlies’ games this season, visit http://stats.njcaa.org/sports/mbkb/2017-18/div1/teams/missouristateuniversitywestplains.
For more information about the Grizzly Basketball program, visit the team’s website or call 417-255-7991.
Stay up to date with Grizzly Athletics and Grizzly Booster Club news by signing up for text alerts at http://remind.com/join/wpgrizz or text “@WPGrizz to 81010.