The Missouri State West Plains Grizzlies faced the Mineral Area College Cardinals for the second time this season on Wednesday, January 22nd, 2025. Previously, the Grizzlies beat Mineral Area in a double overtime, home game by a score of 82-81. This time the Grizzlies traveled to Park Hills, MO to the Mineral Area Campus. Unfortunately, the Cardinals were able to upset the Grizzlies by a Final score of 65-50.
Summary:
1st Half: First play of the game is a pass from #4 Jordyn Richard to #42, De-Ari Duncan for the Cardinals who take an early 4-3 lead. The first three pointer of the game for the Grizzlies by #5, Shaun Glass. Two buckets for both Glass and Duncan at the free throw line tie the game at 6-6. Grizzlies are able to make it a 9-7 game after another bucket by Shaun Glass after a bucket by Richard for the Cardinals. Grizzlies do turn over the ball but manage to get it back and Glass scores his eighth point of the game. #42, Duncan ties up the game at 9-9 with one of his own two pointers. Ball taken back by Javian Downey who scores his first bucket of the night, but stolen by #13 Carl Claxton who shoots and scores for the Cardinals. Both teams are now playing very skilled defense and a long drive and score by #20, Riley Whitaker. After this, Cardinals go on a bit of a run as they go up by four points. Two buckets by #22, Marelous Phillips from the line as well as two easy shots by #10, Joseph Scott. In this gap, #1 Richardson tries to shoot two goes 0-2 from the line Grizzlies finally get a steal and #13, Ethan Smith scores with a spin move and jumper as they go back to trail by one, 24-23 with 5:08 to go. #0, Preston Turner. Despite his bad luck, Ryan Richardson continues to get rebounds for the Grizzlies along with Shaun Glass. Neither team is doing great at the free throw line, the Cardinals are managing to hold the Grizzlies to a two point lead. Ball gets over to Riley Whitacker who puts the Grizzlies up by one with another three pointer, answered back with a two point shot by #10, Scott as the Cardinals lead by one at the half, 30-29.
HALFTIME- Mineral Area Cardinals: 30/ MSU-WP Grizzlies: 29
2nd Half: Grizzlies manage to make the Cardinals turnover the ball twice, one of these allows #12, Ergie Kougnami to score. After, two ten pointers put the Grizzlies up by three, 35-32. Rebound Cardinals and a long drive and score by #4, Jordyn Richard. A foul call call on the Cardinals and #13 Ethan Smith is fouled in the act of shooting, unfortunately shoots 0-2 at the line. Grizzlies take a few trips down the floor but are struggling, struggling enough to miss a 3-1 break as the Cardinals continue to lead the game by one point. This gives #2, Aaron Walker, the chance to shoot a three pointer and does. A reaching foul forces Ethan Smith out of the game and #11, Antoine Thomas shoots two for the Mineral Area Cardinals as they now lead by four, 41-37. #5, Shaun Glass comes back into the game as #11 Javian Downey comes out for the Grizzlies. #12, Ergie Kougnami scores on a dunk putting the Grizzlies up by one. Grizzlies make their eleventh turnover, once again this seems to be a result of the angle. Mineral Area’s defensive success at this point in the game is working as they are setting up a half court trap. Another jump shot by #42, Duncan for the Cardinals. Grizzlies get possession for a minute or so as Shaun Glass goes for a thirteen foot shot but misses it. Cardinals run into a similar issue as #4 Jordyn Richard gets it but steps out of bounds. Grizzlies lose it again and another dunk by #42, Duncan for the Grizzlies as now the Cardinals are down by eight. On the next possession, Ethan Smith scores two free throws and checks out. Grizzlies miraculously keep the ball and a good two point shot by #5, Shaun Glass as they finally get a chance to make it a two possession ballgame. Cardinals take it back and another bucket by Duncan and a three pointer by #4, Jordyn Richard brings what was a two point game back to a six point game. Finally out of nowhere, Ergie Kougnami scores a bucket as we are now down by as many as fifteen points.
This is where the Grizzlies stay as they fall to the Mineral Area Cardinals by a Final Score of 65-50.
Harlin Hutchison spoke with Head Coach Jared Phay following the game and discussed the overall highs and lows of the game. See audio below:
Scoring:
#5, Shaun Glass- 14 Points
#11, Javian Downey- 10 Points
#1, Ryan Richardson- 7 Points
#12, Ergie Kougnami- 7 Points
#13, Ethan Smith- 6 Points
#20, Riley Whitacker- 6 Points
Grizzlies will return to play at Home this coming Saturday night for Military Appreciation night, sponsored by Hirsch Feed & Farm Supply. As usual, the Game will commence @ 7 PM with Broadcast on 102.5, Hot Country KDY & Ozark Radio News Facebook & You Tube video livestream.
