Game Audio Below:
The Missouri-State West Plains Grizzly Basketball Team traveled to Sedalia, Missouri on Thursday night, February 13th, 2025 for their second matchup against the State-Fair Roadrunners. In this matchup, the Grizzlies were able to take advantage of the Roadrunners’ cold scoring throughout the entirety of the game, taking home a 70-66 win.
* This also breaks the Grizzlies record in away games. Up until this point; The Grizzlies have yet to win a Reigon-Sixteen game on the road. All victories during the Region sixteen season have been home games.
Summary:
1st Half: Tip controlled by the State Fair Roadrunners and stolen by the Grizzlies for two points by #1, Ryan Richardson. Roadrunners get it back and first points scored by #2, Alex Gunnels. #33, Lionel Kiumwimba scores on an easy left hander, putting it in on a near miss pass. Rebound State Fair, but taken back by #5, Shaun Glass for his first bucket. Roadrunners try to force some steals, but both blocked by #33, Kumwimba. A three point shot and steal by #5, Tyson Mobley for the Roadrunners but Shaun Glass tries a good pass and is able to shoot it out at the line. Grizzlies narrow the game back down as the Roadrunners come up by eight and #13, Ethan Smith with two good free throws and a good two point shot after the next turnover by the Roadrunners.
To the Grizzlies advantage, they are down in the amount of turnovers compared to the Roadrunners as they have at least four. Grizzles only have two. #25, Sam Bradford comes into the game for the Grizzlies as #5, Mobley throws it in. Stolen back and Ryan Richardson scores one two pointer, foul and an incomplete play. Richardson completes it at the free throw line making both free throws. Another turnover is fought for by Grizzlies and another foul, but State Fair will keep the ball. As they are still cold, State Fair throws it away again but takkes it back, tires for a three as neither team is shooting many points with 7:20 in the Half. Grizzlies fail to cash in on the next turnover and allow #25, Bradford for the Roadrunners to score on a good three point attempt. Falls short, doesn’t make it at the line and will be rebounded by the Roadrunners. Grizzlies trail by one 15-14 with under six minutes to go. Another missed free throw trip as #11, Javian Downey goes to the line. Roadrunners hold with the ball for a few minutes of play with two buckets, one by #13, Brantner and one by #3, Malick Ndayie.
As Grizzlies continue to hold the lead with 2:56, they go from holding the Roadrunners to ask many as five down to just one. #1, Ryan Richardson takes several trips to the line. First attempt holds none. They next foul and trip, only making one. Game goes from two points back to one as #25, Bradford for the Roadrunners ties the game with 20 points. Taken away and a nice spin move puts it back up to a two point ballgame by #5, Shaun Glass. Lionel Kiumwimba saves a bucket for the Grizzlies and holds it, denying Bradford a shot for the Roadrunners.
HALFTIME- MSU-West Plains Grizzlies: 22/ State-Fair Roadrunners: 20
2nd Half: A three over the back is no good for the Roadrunners as it bounces over the backboard. Stolen back by the Grizzlies with a good two pointer by #2, Riley Whitacker. Rebound and shot up and good by Bradford. Taken back by Grizzlies for a nice three once again by Whitacker. A foul and Ryan Richardson makes two good free throws to outscore the Roadrunners 7-2 early in the second half. Shot up and good by #25, Bradford for the Roadrunners. Taken back for the Grizzlies as Ryan Richardson makes his fourteenth point of the night with another two handed dunk. Baseline shot off the rebound good again by Bradford as he has all six points for the Roadrunners in the early going of the Second half.
A foul call and #33, Lionel Kiumwimba tries for two but doesn’t make em.’ Roadrunners try to take it back but areaching foul is called and it will be Grizzly Basketball. Grizzlies end up making their first turnover of the second half, but manage another foul on the State Fair Roadrunners as now #5, Shaun Glass will go to the line. Glass makes both of his free throws. Across the lane, a right-handed lay-in is good for #11, Javian Downey. Ryan Richardson with another three pointer after this and then yet another backdoor shot from Downey as they lead now by as many as nine. Downey who only scored at least five points in the first half has came close to contributing to half of the Grizzlies points on the night aside from Richardson as now he makes two more free throws. Roadrunners continue to crack at it a little as #13 Bradntner makes another easy pass in.
#12, Ergie Kougnami makes his seventh point on the night for the Grizzlies. Ndiaye for the roadrunners goes up to eight point of the night after two easy tay ins. On next Grizzly possession, Nadiye is fouled by Shaun Glass. Glass goes to the line and makes two free throws. Another trip to the line by Javian Downey follows as he makes one free throw.
Game is cut all the way down to three as #13, Bradtner shoots a good three. But a foul and then #12, Ergie Kougnami returns to the line twice. The first trip making 1-2 and the second making both, this as Grizzlies continue to hold the lead, 56-52 with 3:57 to go. A foul on the Grizzlies and Tyson Mobley goes to line for the Roadrunners and makes two free throws. But Grizzlies get it back and a good baseline jumper by Ryan Richardson.
In the last 1:50 to play, Riley Whitacker with a good three for the Grizzlies. A foul and two free throws by Alex Gunnels for the Roadrunners. #12, Ergie Kougnami takes it back, up and in as the clock shows 37.1 second to go. #11, Javian Downey with two more from the line. Roadrunners will try to move the ball and attempt to score another three, each try falling short.
Ergie Kougnami secures the game with two free throws.
FINAL SCORE- MSU-WP Grizzlies: 70/ State-Fair Roadrunners: 66
Scoring:
#1, Ryan Richardson -18 points
#11, Javian Downey- 14 points
#12, Ergie Kougnami- 14 points
#5, DeShaun Glass-12 points
#2, Riley Whitacker- 9 points
#13, Ethan Smith- 2 points
#10, Jake Sage- 2 points
Grizzlies will return to play at Home for Homecoming on Saturday night (February 15th) for their third matchup with the State-Fair Roadrunners. Catch the game @ 7 PM with Broadcast on 102.5, Hot Country KDY or Ozark Radio News Facebook or Youtube video livestream
