Game Audio Below:
The Missouri State West Plain Grizzlies were back in action on Wednesday night, January 21st, 2026 as they traveled to the Libla Family Sports Complex @ Poplar Bluff, Missouri, taking on The Three Rivers Raiders.
While the Raiders have won all three of their region games, Grizzlies have yet to win one.
1st Half: Grizzlies take a 2-3 lead after Three Rivers loses the ball out of bounds on the tip. Shot up and good by #1, Tyrell Smith. But a good two pointer by #1, Drew Ward for the Three Rivers Radiers
Quickly a 5-4 game up but a three by #1, Drew Ward. A foul on the next shot and rebound by Lindey as #31, Johann Pautsch shoots two.
#1, Ward makes his fifth point as Three Rivers takes away The Grizzlies’ brief one point lead. Off the next Radiers, a good shot up and good by #5, Shaun Glass.
#1, Tyrell Smith makes his seventh point as he fights for the ball on the next possession but puts it up and in for two. All five starters have scored for Three Rivers as they lead 13-12 with 13:42 to go.
Star shooter, #2 Matt Hampton comes into the game making back to back dunks as he is able to capitalize on a three point play. Luckily, his shot goes out of bounds and it will be Grizzly Basketball.
Grizzlies fight for a three but lose it and #4, Josiah Cotto for Three Rivers will score on an easy bucket. #4, Ace Evans answers back though and shoots a much needed two, now 17-14, Radiers.
Ace Evans with another three as he now has five points and now the game is tied at 17. Raiders turn it over.
A foul and Cotto for Three Rivers shoots three at the line as Raiders take the lead back by three. Two more free throws follow by #3, Allen Stoddard.
Rebound by Grizzlies and a foul, sending #13, Clayton Robbins to the line as he makes two free throws, now 22-19, Raiders with 9:01 to go.
Another foul and Ace Evans makes two free throws and brings the Grizzlies back to within one 22-21, with 7:51 to go.
#20, Manuel Camboma for The Raiders shoots a good high end putback and makes two at the throw line. Another Grizzly foul and two more free throws through #2, Matt Hampton for three Rivers. Suddenly, Three Rivers Climb back to a nine point lead.
Ace Evans continues to get Three Rivers to foul as he is able to keep knocking the ballgame back down to a five point lead, this as he gets another three point lead.
The Grizzlies defensively have been doing much better than expected as even within 3 minutes to go, The Raiders are trying to make shots but having much more difficulty on offense.
Cotto makes a two as well as another field goal, Grizzlies trail by eight with under 2:00 Minutes to go.
Make it 41-30 as Hampton shoots a three and now it’s an eleven point lead.
In the last two minutes, Grizzlies are led into a few fouls and Three Rivers rounds out the rest of the half at the free throw line.
HALFTIME- Three Rivers Raiders: 44/ MSU-WP Grizzlies: 32
2nd Half: An unexpected five point streak by Blayne Harris who comes in for the Grizzlies he shoots two threes. And yet another three after a timeout by Javon Barbee as lead narrows to 47-42, Raiders still with lead. A foul by the Grizzlies and #31, Paustch answers back with two free throws. Grizzlies trailing by five.
Back down to a three point lead as Javon Barbee makes another three. Grizzlies still are not matching the Raiders speed. Both on size but also on driving to the basket.
Grizzlies hold at 51 points for about seven minutes up until #1, Tyrell Smith breaks the silence, 78-54 with under six minutes to go.
Throughout the rest of the half; Hampton and Stauch continue to pound buckets for Three Rivers. Grizzlies once again face what they have ran into trouble with all year which is height.
For about seven minutes Grizzlies had stayed at 51 points and this delay is what ultimately erased whatever chances the Grizzlies had of coming back during the Second Half.
FINAL- Three Rivers Raiders: 90/ MSU-WP Grizzlies: 69
Scoring:
#4, Ace Evans- 23 Points
#20, Damani Barley -13 Points
#1, Tyrell Smith- 12 Points
#5, Shaun Gass- 9 Points
#3, Blayne Harris- 6 Points
#15, Javon Barbee- 4 Points
#13, Clayton Robbins- 2 Points
