Region XVI Tournament: Three Rivers vs. MSU-West Plains

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. ó Missouri State-West Plains outlasted Three Rivers in a thrilling Region XVI Tournament semifinal. Evan White gave the Grizzlies their first lead since the 17:35 mark of the second half with a put-back to make the score 63-61 with six and a half minutes left in the game. Sardaar Calhoun followed up by stretching the lead when Tallon Fonda was late to slide over for a block and was called for a goaltend on the next possession. Three Rivers trailed for the next four minutes before Mandarius Dickerson made a pair of free throws to give Three Rivers a 71-70 lead with 2:19 left in the game. Eric Lovett went backdoor for an and-one to put West Plains back in front for good. ìThat was huge on their part. That gave them a lot of intensity. I think that actually put them up by one. They just kept going after that. That was their go-to right there,í Austin Parker said. Three Rivers had a chance to tie the game, but Parkerís 3-pointer hit the front of the rim, and Lovett grabbed it and made a pair of free throws to seal the game, giving West Plains a 78-73 win.