Game Audio Below:
The Missouri State West Plains Grizzly Basketball Team played the first of two games in their home, Grizzly Tournament this past Friday night. This off the heels of a brutal, 74-69 loss to the National Park Nighthawks last weekend.
In this matchup, The Grizzlies make it back into the win column with a 94-67 win over The Morton College Panthers from Cicero, Illinois.
1st Half: Grizzlies control the tip and Shaun Glass tries for a three pointer which is instead counted as a two pointer. The Morton Panthers are able to tie it out twice as #43, Sophomore guard Ion Revenco shoots two field goals for the night. But Grizzlies end up taking the lead within the first two minutes with two good shots by #2, Alonso Easterling and #24, Dassiah Green. Both teams work up and down the timeline and another three pointer by #5, Shaun Glass makes it a 10-6 ballgame.
#15, Javon Barbee comes into the ballgame as Morton tries to attack back. Barbee gets a steal and his first two points of the ballgame. Morton tries to penetrate but Grizzlies keep the wide spread and another three this time by #11, Makai Lindsey for the Grizzlies as they now have the lead 15-6.
Another drive in for a three by #11 Lindsey as well as a two pointer by #2, Alonso Easterling. Morton continues to leave The Grizzlies open for some very nice, wide open shots. Only exception is two right handers by #43, Christien Sorenco.
#20, Damani Barley comes into the game scoring his first three pointer. The third three pointer of the night followed up by #5, Shaun Glass.
Morton starts to have some luck as #13, Javerion Brooks comes in and banks two more field goals as the Score ramps up to 36-15.
#4 Ace Evans finishes the half with a trip to the line, going 0-2.
While Grizzlies aren’t having luck as usual at the line. Not a lot of free-throws have been shot in this ballgame so far.
Ace gets a chance to correct his mishap from before and gets a shot up for one after a good baseline jumper and a block on Morton.
HALFTIME- MSU- WP Grizzlies: 44/ Morton College Panthers: 23
2nd Half: The Morton Panthers get the ball to start the second half. A fall is called on the Grizzlies and this send #4, Kevin Cathey to the line to shoot two. Morton has a short run to follow as #43, Sorenco comes back in for the Grizzlies and banks in two more. This makes it a 44-27 ballgame.
Some more pressure and #15, Javon Barbee makes a three pointer. Attacked back by Morton. This follows another shot and a foul on Morton as #5, Shaun Glass comes back into the ballgame.
#14, Gustav Blaudenfeldt comes back into the line-up facing some heavy defense from the Panthers, but manages to make his next two point shot.
By this point in the game, Coach Jared Phay has added in more from his bench than normal and all are making ample free throws and two point shots.
Morton has some luck midway through the half on three point shooting as #10, Simon Tesfit & #21, Danny Thompson get several three pointers combined. They also have some luck at the free throw line but still not enough to cut a huge margin out of the Grizzly lead.
Grizzlies end the game by a Final of 94-67
Scoring: *MAIN SCORERS
#20, Damani Barley, 19 Points
#15, Javon Barbee, 17 Points
