Grizzlies drop Region 16 contest to Raiders

There were no buzzer-beating buckets to help the Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) Grizzly Basketball team pick up another win over Region 16 nemesis Three Rivers College Monday night.

Instead, the Grizzlies struggled to score against a strong Raider defense and fell 72-57 at the Libla Family Sports Complex in Poplar Bluff. The loss drops the Grizzlies' Region 16 record to 2-3 and their overall season record to 8-13.

"Give Three Rivers credit, they came out and continued their improved play against us," Grizzly Basketball Assistant Coach Jason Owens said. Owens stepped in for head coach Jared Phay, who missed Monday's game due to COVID-19.

Although as a team the Grizzlies struggled to score, two players, sophomore forwards Nico Hill and Mehdi Pissis, tallied double figures in points for the night. Hill canned 19 while Pissis chipped in 11.

Hill also grabbed 10 rebounds for a double-double performance. Pissis had six grabs.

"Nico played well for us last night," Owens said.

The Grizzlies return to the road Wednesday evening to take on St. Louis Community College in a Missouri Community College Athletic Conference (MCCAC) contest. Tip off is 7 p.m. in St. Louis.

For more information about the Grizzly Basketball program, visit www.msuwpgrizzlies.com or call 417-255-7991.