(Burlington, Iowa)- The beginning of the basketball season has been a proving ground for the MSU-West Plains Grizzlies.
After a trip to Burlington, Iowa, for the Iowa/Missouri challenge at Southeastern Community College, the Grizzlies find themselves sitting at 1-5 for the season with 4 of the 5 losses against teams in the national top 13. In spite of the results, the Grizzlies have acquitted themselves very well against the stern competition.
On Friday, the Grizzlies faced old rival Indian Hills who had to come from 3 down in the last 90 seconds and hold off MSU-WP, 75-70.
After a fast start, the Grizzlies trailed the Warriors 44-35 at halftime.
In the second half, the Grizzlies picked up the pace defensively and clawed back to take a 68-65 lead with two minutes to play. The next possession saw Indian Hills sophomore Taj Anderson hit a long 3 from the left wing to tie the game. From that point, the Warriors outscored the Grizzlies, 7-2.
Sophomore Byron Breland had one of his best games for the Grizzlies, finishing as the game’s top scorer with 23 points. Freshman Kavon Eskridge and sophomore Mehdi Pissis added 13 and 11 points, respectively.
On Saturday a slow start proved to be the Grizzlies’ undoing as Triton College from the Chicago area defeated MSU-WP, 73-67.
Again, the Grizzlies fell behind by 12 at the half, 42-30. And, again, the second half saw the Grizzlies rally but ran out of time.
Byron Breland led the scoring for the Grizzlies for the second consecutive day with 16 points. Freshman Chicago State transfer Isaiah Lewis, playing his first games for the Grizzlies last weekend, had 13 points.
The Grizzlies will be at home Tuesday night when they host Link Year Prep from Branson. They will then host Labette Community College Friday and Kansas City Community College in the Grizzly Classic.
