DIFFICULT WIN IN CONFERENCE OPPOSITION

The Grizzlies continued their good start to the season by having an amazing weekend, defeating the Pratt Community College Beavers 83-80, in a very difficult home game.

The first half started well for the Grizzlies, as freshman guard Seven Bahati  made the first shot attempt, a three-pointer. The Grizzlies would go on a 10-3 run by having more energy than the Beavers; however, they closed that margin and went on an amazing run, taking the lead 14-12. Throughout the first half, the Beavers would make shot after shot, maintaining the lead and displaying dominance. At the half, the Grizzlies were down by nine points, so they needed to regroup, in hope of a different outcome at the end of the game. 

In the second half, the Grizzlies displayed higher intensity on both ends of the floor, with several shots in the first couple of possessions, and blocked shots by sophomore guard Bubba Leavell. The Grizzlies continued to fight and reduced their deficit to two points 52-50 and then tied the game at 52. However, the Beavers would go on a run of their own, increasing their lead once again and were up by eight at the 11-minute mark. This game was a game of momentum; it would constantly switch between both teams, each going on runs. The Beavers attempted to maintain their lead, whereas the Grizzlies fought each time to come back.

 Both teams showed their character throughout this game. In the last five minutes, the Grizzlies were down by three and got an and-1 on a lay-up by freshman guard Devonte Reed, and he made the free throw. In the next minute, both teams missed shots, but the Grizzlies finally scored one and took the lead for the first time since the opening minutes, 69-70. The Beavers took it back. Both teams would go on to alternate leads until the two-minute mark, where the Grizzlies would take it for good and win the game 83-80. 

It was a hard-fought game, as both teams came to play in this conference game. The Grizzlies are looking to maintain their win streak after it was snapped by Northern Oklahoma –Tonkawa last Wednesday, Nov. 20. Their next game will be on the road opposing Seward County on Tuesday, Nov. 26 in Liberal.