Grizzlies earn road win against Three Rivers; tonight's home game postponed

The Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly Basketball team is 6-2 after a road win Saturday night, Feb. 13. 

The Grizzlies won their fourth game in a row after defeating 20th-ranked Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff, 100-90. The Grizzlies led by as many as 24 points during the game.

"I liked our energy against Three Rivers, and I liked how we played together as a team," Grizzly Basketball Head Coach Jared Phay said. "We talk about passing up good shots for great shots, and we did that."

Sophomore guard Jesse Zarzuela once again led the Grizzlies in scoring with 26 points. Freshman guard James "Scooter" Williams also had a big night with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Also contributing to the win were sophomore forward Nico Hill with 18 points, sophomore guard Byron "Tre" Breland with 13 points and sophomore guard Ian Lopez with 8 points and 10 rebounds for the Grizzlies.

"I like how we are playing as of late," Phay said. "We want to play fast but play under control, and we are finding that balance."

Tonight's game postponed

The current weather conditions and additional snow Tuesday night and this morning leaves some uncertainty on when the Grizzlies will play next, Phay noted. The Grizzlies had three home games in a row on the schedule.

"The decision has been made to cancel the Feb. 17 (tonight's) home game with St. Louis Community College due to road conditions," he said.

The next two games for the Grizzlies are Saturday, Feb. 20, against Arkansas Baptist College, and Monday, Feb. 22, against Moberly Area Community College. Tip-off for both games is 7 p.m. at the West Plains Civic Center.

  "We have some good non-conference games coming up with St. Louis and Arkansas Baptist," Phay said. "These are great teams, and we're looking forward to playing them; however, we will confer with the traveling team before each game to determine if the game will be held."

If a game is postponed, an announcement will be made on the Grizzly men's basketball Facebook page, @GrizzlyMBB, and posted on the Grizzly Athletics website, www.msuwpgrizzlies.com.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, seating will be limited at the Grizzlies' home games, and social distancing and masking will be required throughout the event for everyone age 10 and above, university officials said. Children age 2 to 9 are highly recommended to wear a mask, they added.

Those planning to attend should have their masks on when they enter the civic center. Masks will need to remain on throughout the games.

Ushers will be available to answer questions, and signage will be placed to help with seating. Every other row will be blocked off and three seats will be required between groups if seated in the same row.

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