BRIEFLY: RICHLAND PLAYER SCORES 56 POINTS

Six-foot Richland guard Corey Gipson scored 56 points, including nine 3-pointers, in a 83-78 loss to Dexter Tuesday night.

The scoring spree was the most recorded by any player in Southeast Missouri this year.

The senior is averaging 36.2 points per game and has drawn some interest from NCAA Division I programs.

"He's the leading scorer in the area," said Richland coach Rich Cotton. "He was just on fire (Tuesday night). He's very quick and creative. His best ability is creating his own shot."

Gipson said he and his teammates were focused heading into Tuesday night's game.

"In the lockerroom we were puped up and we kept that up all game," Gipson said.

Gipson averaged 17 points per game during his junior year, but was held back, he said, with a back injury.