Full Game Audio Below:
The Missouri State West Plains Grizzly Basketball Team played their second season home game this past Monday night as they took on The Butler Community College Grizzlies.
During the Broadcast: Harlin Hutchison was joined by a special guest play caller, 2004-2008 former Grizzly Head Coach Brian Ostermann who shared some stories of his tenure at Missouri State West Plains at the top of the Broadcast as well as during the middle of the First half of play.
Summary:
1st Half: #5, Shaun Glass controls the tip for the Grizzlies. They try to get the Ball out for a shot but a foul call on #11, Makai Lindsey and this will give the Butler Grizzlies an attempt to start. Rebound by MSU-WP and put up a good three to tie it up. Game is tied up twice by Lindsey, next by #11, Makai Lindsey. Lindsey gets the advantage on the next Butler County foul at the throw line, making it a 6-6 tie game. Butler county gets an early attack on the basket on offense as #4, Tim Walker scores four points and this makes it a 9-6 game as Butler County has the lead.
#24 Dassiah Green for the Grizzlies comes in and answers back with his first good three in the game as Grizzlies as the Butler County lead increases to 16-11. Both #2 Easterling & #4, Evans come into the game for the Grizzlies as they look to match up to the very tough Butler County offense. Early on, Butler County not only is attacking the basket but getting far more wide-open looks. This as the Butler County lead increases to 28-11.
#4, Evans gets a good look for two more as he drives towards the hoop. But it is answered back by #10, Sophomore Guard Cory Muhler. #14, Gustav Blaudenfeldt comes into the game and gets a good look at a three pointer which is good. But answered back again by Muhler and this causes Coach Jared Phay to call a time out.
Following the time-out, #20, Damani Barley comes into the game and puts in a good 15-footer making the Grizzly trail, 36-20. #2, Alosnso Easterling for The Grizzlies follows with a good drive in and this gives him a good three point attempt at the free-throw line, making it two.
Butler’s speed is allowing them to make (as Harlin references), more 50/50 looks. With 8:23 to go, it’s a 38-25 ballgame led by Butler County.
Ace Evans gets another great look at two with under 5:50 to go. They keep it for the run as Evans passes to #24, Green for a good three as the Butler County lead is cut to six. Butler County will take another team foul and this #11, Makai Lindsey shoots two free throws as now the lead is now cut to four as 50 seconds elapses to make it just under five minutes in the ballgame.
Butler revs back their offensive power in the last 4 1/2, as they cut the lead back to seven but another foul and this will allow #11, Lindsey to shoot two more as the game is narrowed back to a five point game.
As we get under three minutes of play, #5, Shaun Glass gets a good trigger from #2, Easterling for a good three as we are cut to a two point game with 2:58 to go. Team foul on Butler County allows #11, Makai Lindsey shoot two. Lindsey makes 1-2 and the lead is cut to one.
Butler County gets three more ahead again, but now Grizzlies have found their sweet spot in keeping up with Butler County’s speed and the lead is cut back to one again. 52-51 with 2:09 to go.
Grizzlies end up given Butler County a team to either foul or tie the game going into the half. On the advantage, A foul for Butler County gives #24, Green a chance to tie up the game but misses both.
Butler will go back up by five but cut back again with another two by Easterling, this will make it one again; 57-56 with under 30 seconds to go until the half.
#4, Walker gets off a three close to the buzzer.
This makes it Butler County Grizzlies: 59/ MSU-WP Grizzlies: 56 At Halftime.
2nd Half: Grizzlies are able to take advantage of some poor free throw shooting by Butler County in the early going as Evans and Easterling score add four points and cut the Ballgame back to two 64-62. A good three by Shaun Glass ties the ballgame at 64 with 17:07 to go in the Half, he goes to the line and puts the Grizzlies up by one, 64-65.
Butler County answers back as #15, Avien Riley shoots a good three. But stolen back and put back in to tie it up again at 67 by #11, Lindsey. Three pointer and a two good by Lindsey and Dassiah Green and now Grizzlies hanging on by a thread, very very close game with 15:48 to go.
The luck on free throws continues as #2, Alonso Easterling shoots two more good ones from the line as this puts the Grizzlies back up by two. #20, Damani Barley also gives the Grizzlies two more to regain a one point lead 78-77. A good three by #1, Tyrell Smith and Grizzlies take the lead by two.
Ace Evans gets to go back to the line as this game keeps fluctuating between a tie and two points. #1, Tyrell Smith takes the pressure off the next Butler possession with a good two. This followed by another lay-in by #5 Shaun Glass, It’s an 87-84 Grizzly lead with 12:10 to go in the ballgame. Another one pointer makes it 87-86 as #2, Kirkwood for Butler shoots one.
Grizzlies get just a smidge hung up as we experience a bit of time making it back to the throw line. But #24, Dassiah Green with two opportunities to give the Grizzlies a seven point lead.
Very close game with just under six minutes. Grizzly defense trying to keep a handle on Forward guard #12,Devin Kerr who is keeping Butler County with spitting distance of regaining the lead.
In the Final four minutes, both teams are put in a position to where one must win in free throw shooting. As Grizzlies dominate in this, they give up the final possession leaving Butler to try for two point to win in a one point game.
However, it is blocked and Grizzlies win it in an intense, historic night of Basketball, 116-115 over Butler County.
Grizzlies will resume play on Wednesday Night at The West Plains Civic Center as they will face The NEO, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M Norsemen before facing Butler County on their home turf on Saturday.
Catch the Game between The Grizzlies & NEO on Wednesday Night, starting @ 7PM on 102.5 Hot Country KDY & Live Video Streaming on The Hot Country KDY Facebook page as well as Ozark Radio News on Facebook and You-Tube.
