Big runs power Raiders to region win at MSU-West Plains

WEST PLAINS, Mo. — The Three Rivers College men's basketball team led by as many as 25 points and held off a pair of second-half surges to take a 96-87 win over the Missouri State-West Plains Grizzlies Thursday night at the West Plains Civic Center.

“Good Region 16 win on the road,” Three Rivers coach Brian Bess said after the contest.

The Raiders (10-12, 3-3 Region XVI) shot the ball well in the first half and early in the second, connecting on 54% of their shots from the field (20-for-37) in the first 20 minutes to build up a 46-34 lead.

Three Rivers then opened the second half on a 17-4 run, taking a 63-38 lead roughly 4 1/2 minutes into the second half on Mario Fleming's layup — and TRC seemed on the way to a blowout win.

Not quite.

West Plains (9-14, 2-5) suddenly came alive, going on a 15-2 run of its own to cut the Raider lead to 69-55 on Carlos Paul III's free throws midway through the half.

The Grizzlies got the Three Rivers lead into single digits when Aiden Gair popped a 3-pointer with roughly eight minutes left to cut the lead to 69-60, but was immediately whistled for a technical foul for taunting, sending Mo Niang to the line.

Niang made both free throws to get the Raiders back ahead by double digits and sparking an 8-0 run to give Three Rivers a 77-60 lead — and much-needed breathing room.

By the time West Plains got it under single digits again, there was less than two minutes left in the game. The Grizzlies cut the lead to six points (87-81) late in the game, but TRC made its last five free throws and added a pair of layups to hold on.

“We didn’t play smart in the last six minutes,” Bess said. “We took several hurried, selfish shots instead of working the ball for a good shot.”

The Raiders trailed 25-21 midway through the first half, but scored 12 straight points to take control of the game. Hosana Kitenge scored the first five points of the run to put Three Rivers ahead 26-25 — a lead the Raiders would never relinquish. A 3-pointer by Lamont Jackson, followed by baskets from Caleb Young and D.J. Prater, capped the run and made it 33-25.

Kitenge had a huge night for the Raiders, scoring a game-high 23 points and pulling down 13 rebounds as he dominated West Plains in the paint.

“They don’t match up well with Hosana,” Bess said. “He’s too strong and physical for them.”

Young joined Kitenge in double figures with 19 points, 13 of those coming in the first half as him and Kitenge made for an effective early 1-2 punch.

“Caleb Young was really good in the first half,” Bess said. “He looks explosive and athletic.”

Lamont Jackson scored 15 of his 18 points in the second half and also added 10 rebounds for a double-double, while Niang and Fleming finished with 15 and 11 points, respectively.

The Raiders return home Saturday to host Moberly Area in a Region XVI contest (see separate article).