Short-handed Grizzlies drop 2 at Indian Hills classic

The Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) Grizzly Basketball team took the court without two of its key starters this past weekend, and it showed.

The Grizzlies (6-10) dropped both of their games at the Hy-Vee Classic hosted by Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, Iowa. On Friday, they fell to a hot-shooting Northeast Community College Hawks team from Norfolk, Nebraska, 87-73. Saturday, they dropped a 73-58 decision to Lake Region State College, Devil's Lake, North Dakota.

The Grizzlies were without the talents of sophomore guard Byron "Tre" Breland and freshman guard Kevon Eskridge. Breland missed the games to attend a funeral, and Eskridge missed the action due to an ankle injury, Grizzly Basketball Head Coach Jared Phay said.

They also took the court without sophomore guard Donovan Freeman, who has been nursing a hamstring injury for the past month. Phay expects Freeman to be an impact player when he returns.

"I thought we battled this weekend," he said. "Some guys who have not been playing much had an opportunity to play more."

Other Grizzlies step up

Freshman guard Isaiah Lewis took advantage of the extra court time to lead the Grizzlies in scoring Friday with 22 points. Sophomore forward Mehdi Pissis, freshman point guard Sterling White and freshman guard Taylor Harrison each contributed 7 points to the tally.

Saturday, White led the Grizzlies on the scoreboard with 13 points, and freshman forward Luka Novakovic added a season high 12.

"Isaiah Lewis had a good weekend overall, and Sterling White has been the only guy on our team who has started every game for us to this point," Phay said.

"We really need the break that is coming up to get healthy and regroup," the coach added. "The important thing is we are 1-0 in conference play right now, and that is our focus.

The Grizzlies will close out the fall portion of their season at home Thursday when they host United Prep from Nixa. The post-graduate program is directed and coach by former Grizzly Basketball standout Robert Yanders. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. in Joe Paul Evans Arena at the West Plains Civic Center.

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