The Missouri State University – West Plains Grizzlies, welcomed the State Fair Community College Roadrunners to the West Plains Civic Center for the second time this season. The game was a close contest throughout, staying true to what the statistics would suggest. The largest lead either team could muster in the entire game was eight points, which each team held at one point.
The Roadrunners started the scoring and jumped out to a small lead. State Fair held a lead for most of the first half. The Grizzlies were able to respond and stay within five points for most of the first half. As the end of the first half was looming, the Grizzlies were able to gain an eight point advantage. State Fair was able to respond with an 8-0 run to send the teams to the locker room tied at 32.
The second half started with back and forth scoring because each team struggled to rebound the ball defensively. The Grizzlies held the lead for most of the second. West Plains led by eight with about three minutes left in the game. The Roadrunners were able to battle back and shrink the lead to two. A foul was called with 5.3 seconds left, that counted a basket and allowed one free throw. The two point basket tied the game at 59, the free throw was good and gave the Roadrunners the one point lead. The Grizzlies were not able to respond with a buzzer beater and lost 60-59.
The Grizzlies will be on the road Saturday, to face the Mineral Area College Cardinals. The game can be heard on 102.5 KKDY.
