Hill leads Grizzlies to home win over SEMO Prep

Sophomore forward Nico Hill scored a career high 31 points to lead the Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) Grizzly Basketball team to a 109-67 win over SEMO Prep Thursday evening at the West Plains Civic Center.

Hill shot six for eight from behind the arc in the second half to blow the game open, impressing Grizzly Basketball Head Coach Jared Phay with his performance.

"Nico has been working hard, and it's good to see him have success," Phay said.

Freshman guard Kevon Eskridge added 16 points and eight rebounds to the Grizzlies' cause.

"Kevon does a little bit of everything for us," the coach said.

Sophomore guard Byron "Tre" Breland added 12 points for the Grizzlies, and fellow sophomore guard Reese Dodson pumped in 11.

The Huskies were led by K.J. Burks with 15 points.

The Grizzlies are now 1-1 on the young season and will embark on their first road trip of the season to play in the Mitchell Elite 8 Tournament in Edmond, Oklahoma. They will face No. 9 Kilgore College from Kilgore, Texas, at 11 a.m. Sunday and No. 12 Odessa College, Odessa, Texas, at 1 p.m. Monday.

"I think we may have the toughest schedule in the country to start the season," Phay said. "But I think it will prepare us for region play because our region is as good as anyone in the country."

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