Grizzlies' winning streak against Three Rivers ends

In their last seven meetings, the Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly Basketball team came away with wins against Region 16 counterpart Three Rivers College.

That streak came to an end Saturday when the Grizzlies (6-8) fell to the Raiders 88-84 at the Libla Family Sports Complex on the Three Rivers campus in Poplar Bluff.

The teams started the contest exchanging leads for much of the first half, but foul trouble and shooting woes started taking a toll on the Grizzlies in the last seven minutes.

During this time, the Raiders extended their lead to double digits. The Grizzlies, meanwhile, struggled for five minutes to find a basket.

By the end of the period, however, the Grizzlies narrowed the Raider lead to 8 and went into the break trailing 44-36.

"We have had those stretches this year," Grizzly Basketball Head Coach Chris Popp said. "It is an unusual problem in that we do not rely on one or two players for our offense. We have a number of players who can really score, yet that cold bug seems to be contagious with us."

Foul trouble at the post

It's no coincidence that the Raiders made their run while the Grizzlies' starting post players, sophomore Alex Peterson and redshirt sophomore Quentin Jones, sat on the bench in foul trouble.

Peterson only played five minutes in the first period, while Jones finished the first half on the bench and was limited to just eight minutes in the second.

"With Alex and Quentin, at times they seem to be a magnet for calls," Popp said. "With those two out, a lot falls on Alex (Rodrigues) and Nico (Hill), especially on the defensive end and on the glass."

The Raiders took full advantage of Peterson and Jones' absence in the game, pounding the ball inside to score 60 of their 88 points in the paint.
The Grizzlies, meanwhile, could only muster 26 points in the paint. Instead, they launched 28 of their 67 shot attempts from 3-point range, connecting on 12 of them.

"That is the focus of Three Rivers' defense – they pack it in and protect the paint well. What it gives you are open perimeter shots. But when nearly half of your attempts from the floor are 3-point shots, you'd better be making them," Popp said.

"It's a fine line with this team," he added. "We have a lot of players who can shoot the basketball. When they get open looks, you want them to shoot it with rhythm and confidence. At the same time, it is crucial to get the ball to the paint. We try to preach paint touches before perimeter shots."

It also didn't help that the Grizzlies couldn't take advantage of the free throw opportunities they were given. Of 21 attempts, they only connected on 12. Popp acknowledged this was an issue for the team, as well.

Four Grizzlies scored in double figures for the evening. Sophomore guard Sardaar Calhoun led the way with 22 points, followed by Jones with 18 in 22 minutes of play.

Peterson and Rodrigues each added 10, and Peterson recorded another double-double for the season by grabbing 10 rebounds to go with his points.

Saturday's loss not only ended the Grizzlies' winning streak over the Raiders, it also put a halt to their three-game winning streak for the season.

Hy-Vee Classic this weekend

They will try to get back on track Friday and Saturday at the Hy-Vee Classic hosted by Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, Iowa.

Their first test of the tournament will be a big one as the hosting Warriors are ranked ninth in the nation with a 10-2 record. 

"I believe this is the most talented Indian Hills team I've seen in my four years here," Popp said. "They have their holes, but it will be a challenge to go in there and win. As a competitor, these games make it fun – a hostile environment and one of the top teams in the country. It is an opportunity and should be an exciting game."

Tipoff is 7 p.m. Friday and will be livestreamed through the indianhills.prestosports.com website and broadcast by Ozark Radio News.

Following the tournament, the Grizzlies will enjoy winter break before hosting the Hirsch Feed & Farm Supply Classic Jan. 3-4 in Joe Paul Evans Arena at the West Plains Civic Center. They will face Southwest Tennessee Community College at 7 p.m. Jan. 3 and the Warriors at 7 p.m. Jan. 4 for a rematch.

For more information about the Grizzly Basketball program, visit www.msuwpgrizzlies.com or call 417-255-7991.