Clint Robinson scored 28 points and Willie Jimerson Jr. had 10 assists for State Far in a 73-70 victory over Missouri State University West Plains Wednesday.
In a game decided by a possession, head coach Kevin Thomas said his team’s defense did just enough to win.
“We tried something different this time,” Thomas said. “Their bigs were very skilled. They could shoot, they could make plays.
“We were very fortunate to come out with a win. I thought we go just enough stops to win.”
Grizzlies 6-foot-9 forward Mike Park Jr. made an impact off the bench early. He blocked State Fair’s William Jones in the paint nine minutes into the game. Four minutes later, Park Jr. tied the game at 25 with a hook shot in the post.
With three minutes remaining in the half, Ronnie Rousseau III drove into the lane and a defending Park Jr. He did not budge. Jearvon Irvin picked Rousseau III and passed to a trailing Park Jr. for the fast-break dunk.
Park Jr. finished with 13 points and 8 rebounds. Devonte Campbell and Jearvon Irvin led the Grizzlies with 15 points apiece.
State Fair and West Plains were tied at 32 entering the second half. Rousseau III drained a corner three for the first field goal of the half. He finished with 20 points.
Rousseau III broke a tie twice more in the game. Once, minutes later with a scoop layup and again with less than five minutes to play with a finger roll to put the Roadrunners up 62-60.
Campbell sealed the SFCC victory hitting two free throws with under a minute on the clock.
Along with a game-high 25 points, Robinson had eight rebounds and three blocks.
State Fair travels to Mineral Area College Saturday at 7 p.m.