Game Audio Below:
The Missouri State West Plains Basketball team took on the Jefferson College Vikings this past Wednesday night, January 15th, 2025 @ Joe Paul Evans Arena. This game secured the Grizzlies 9-9 season record, defeating the Vikings by a score of 71-68.
1st Half: Tip controlled by #5, Samuel Olotu for the Jeffco Vikings. After some scurrying around, ball gets down to the Grizzlies and first shot up and good by #12, Ergie Kougnami. With the first shot. Jeffco takes it back but looses it again and another lay in by Ergie and a jump shot by #5, Shaun Glass. Jeffco tries to keep going with it but Vikings loose it again and first three pointer of the night good by #20, Blayne Harris for the Grizzlies. Ergie Kougnami with another spinning jump shot as the Grizzly lead is 11-4 with 13:00 to go. And to come into the game is the recovered, #11, Javian Downey into the ballgame. Downey is able to go 1-1 on his first point of the night. Jeffco continues to try for a three pointer, continually controlled by #20, Kade Harman and passed to #10, Gabe Watkins for one shot. Rebounded by Grizzlies for a good shot by #5, Shaun Glass. With 9:00 to go, the Score is 16-8. A three ponter is good by #13, Ethan Smith. Jeffco continues to try for a shot. #20, Harman finally gets a three pointer for the Vikings to even things up as Grizzlies are having a great deal of luck on easy shots so far in the first half. Samuel Oloku makes two more points at the line for the Vikings as they trail by eleven points. Grizzlies switch and begin playing a zone and this allows #1, Ryan Richardson for a good shot. Taken back for another two pointer by #10, Gabe Watkins, but taken back and shot up and good by Blayne Harris as Grizzlies are up by eight. Harman into the corner for a good three pointer cuts the lead to four. Grizzles now have six turnovers in the first half. #33, Lionel Kiumwimba with a good jumper.
Grizzlies hang onto it and go to the Half with the lead, 31-25
2nd Half: Ergie Kougnami goes for a good jumper to start the half. Rebound Jeffco, they can’t hang onto it and will be taken back by Grizzlies. Jump shot right at the shot clock is good by #1, Ryan Richardson. #30 Ethan Meeks is able to bring the Vikings within ten points. Both Ergie and Kougnami are able to keep the pressure going with a slew of threes and some good jump shots within the next four minutes. A three pointer by #20, Kade Harman is good for the vikings, but Grizzlies answer back with another three pointer by Ryan Richardson. So far in the second half the Vikings have about nine turnovers as Harman shoots two at the line. Harman shoots and scores on a wide open shot as the Grizzlies continue to lead by ten. A three point shot and first bucket of the night by #14, Cayden Ivankovick with long three pointer. Grizzlies answer back with a long, scoop shot by #12, Ergie Kougnami. Grizzly lead is eventually cut to five as Harman and Meeks both make two three pointers a piece. #12, Cole RIckerman is also able to score several shots for the Vikings. #1, Richardson is able shoot one two hander in span from ten to six remaining in the half. A foul sends #12, Ergie Kougnami to the Grizzlies who makes two as the score is now 60-57. A foul on Ethan Meeks sends #11, Javian Downey to the line to build on his two points of the game who makes 1-2 from the line. Rickerman shoots a wide open shot after the Grizzlies leave him open and a three point game with 1:15 to go. Shaun Glass loose and finally a good jumper for the Grizzlies. But rebound and another three pointer by #12, Cole Rickman. A foul call on Shaun Glass who tries to shoot one, doesn’t make it. Vinkings with their last possession with a two point lead. Shaun Glass shoots two more but rebound Rickerman and another three. For the last shot, Riley Whitacker for the Grizzlies has it tries for the first and is allowed two shots to secure the three point game. He nearly makes it but at last second called to the line where he secures the Final score, 71-68.
Scoring:
#1, Ryan Richardson- 19 points
#12, Ergie Kougnami- 19 points
#5, Shaun Glass- 10 points
#33, Lionel Kiumwimba- 8 points
#20, Blayne Harris- 8 points
#2, Riley Whitacker- 4 points
#13,Ethan Smith- 3 points
#11,Javian Downey- 3 points
Grizzlies will travel to Moberly Area College to take on the Greyhounds this coming Saturday night. Once again, the Broadcast @ 7 PM on 102.5, Hot Country KDY.
