Date: November 13, 2008
Contact: Yancey Walker, Head Coach
Grizzly Basketball Office
417-255-7993

    POTEAU, Okla. – The Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly Basketball team has evened its season record at 3-3 with an 82-73 victory Wednesday night, Nov. 12, over Carl Albert State College in Poteau, Okla.
    “This was a huge win for our guys,” Grizzly Basketball Head Coach Yancey Walker said.  “They rose to the occasion to beat a team on the road, and that is what we need to do more of.  We limited our mistakes at crucial times a lot better this time and maintained the lead.”
    Walker praised his players for “sharing the ball well,” noting the team recorded 20 assists on 29 baskets.  He also pointed out several players, including sophomores Logan Nutt and Devon Peltier and freshman Terrell Bruce, made good, solid shots during the contest.  Overall, the Grizzlies shot 67 percent and were 17 of 20 from the free throw line.
    Leading scorers were Bruce and freshman Taylor Jones, each with 17 points.  They were followed by sophomore Chris Williams with 14, Nutt 12 and Peltier 11.
    The Grizzlies are traveling north today to reach the Iowa Western Community Classic tournament Friday and Saturday, Nov. 14-15, in Council Bluffs, Iowa.  They will play Northeast Community College of Norfolk, Neb., at 3 p.m. Friday then face the hosting Iowa Western Reivers at 7 p.m. Saturday.
    “We play two tough games, and we’re going to take them one at a time,” he said.  “Northeast is traditionally a good team.  We’re getting better than we were, and we need to come in and handle ourselves.  If we do that, we’ll be right in their with them with a chance to win at the end.”
    The Grizzlies’ next home game will be a rematch with Carl Albert at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, in the West Plains Civic Center arena.