Grizzlies defeat No. 3 Indian Hills, fall to No. 7 Moberly

The Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) Grizzly Basketball team faced two of the top 10 teams in the nation this week at the West Plains Civic Center.

On Monday, Feb. 6, they knocked off No. 3 Indian Hills Community College, Ottumwa, Iowa, 76-75 in a thriller, but they came up short Wednesday, Feb. 8, in a hard-fought game against Region 16 rival and No. 7 Moberly Area Community College 88-81.

"This was a big win for our program," Grizzly Basketball Head Coach Jared Phay said of Monday's victory. "I'm proud of our guys. They have worked extremely hard and continue to get better."

Monday's game was a nail-biter from the tip-off. The lead changed hands between the two squads several times before they headed into the halftime break knotted at 35-35.

The Grizzlies (10-15) scored a quick 5 points to start the second half and held the lead until the 11 minute mark when the Warriors pulled ahead, 50-49. The game remained close with Indian Hills taking a 1-point advantage, 75-74, on a driving layup with 31 seconds on the clock.

In the closing seconds of the game, sophomore guard Aiden Gair was fouled on his 3-point attempt, sending him to the free throw line with a chance to give the Grizzlies the lead. He hit his first two attempts but missed the third, leaving the Grizzlies nursing a 1-point lead.

The Warriors had just enough time to bring the ball up to half court for a desperation shot, but it missed as time ran out, giving the Grizzlies a win over their long-time rival from the north.

Gair and freshman forward Carlos Paul III led the Grizzlies in scoring with 14 points each, and sophomore point guard Sterling White added 12. Sophomore forward Dallas Clayton netted 11.

Gair also dished out seven assists, and sophomore forward Micah Garrett grabbed six rebounds.

Grizzlies' 3-pointers can't overcome Greyhounds

Wednesday, the Grizzlies and Greyhounds raced up and down the court in a quick-paced game in the first half, but by the end of the period, the Greyhounds held a 42-36 advantage.

The game's speed continued in the second half as both teams continued their hot shooting from the field. The lead changed several times early in the period, and in the final minutes of the half, the Grizzlies were able to pull within 1 point of the Greyhounds. But a couple of timely shots and offensive rebounds by Moberly proved to be too much for the Grizzlies to overcome.

"We started the game a little flat, but picked up our intensity in the second half and had an opportunity to win the game at the end," Phay said.

Gair had a tremendous game shooting from behind the arc against the Greyhounds, hitting 10 of 13 3-point attempts for 34 points. As a team, the Grizzlies hit 18 3-pointers.

White added 10 points and seven assists to the stat sheet, and sophomore guard Rashad Weekly grabbed six rebounds.

The Grizzlies will close out the regular season next week against Region 16 opponents. On Sunday, Feb. 12, they will play Mineral Area College at 1 p.m. in Park Hills in a game rescheduled due to inclement weather and on Wednesday, Feb. 15, they will face State Fair Community College at 7 p.m. in Sedalia.

The regular season finale will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, against Mineral Area at the West Plains Civic Center. The contest also will serve as this year's homecoming game, and everyone is invited to come out and enjoy the game and homecoming festivities, including the crowning of the 2023 Grizzly Homecoming King and Queen at halftime.

For more information about the Grizzly Basketball team, visit the team's website at MSUWPGrizzlies.com.