WEST PLAINS — The Three Rivers College men's basketball team used a strong second half and got a big game from freshman guard Matt Hampton to get a big road victory over the Missouri State-West Plains Grizzlies.

Hampton scored a season-high 30 points and the Raiders shot 59% from the field in the second half to turn a seven-point halftime lead into a 67-41 rout of the hosts Wednesday night at the West Plains Civic Center.

Three Rivers (13-8, 3-2 Region XVI) led 28-21 at halftime, but scored the first 10 points of the second half to take a 38-21 lead on Marial Malek's layup with 14:41 to go, forcing a Grizzlies timeout.

Hampton's free throw with 8:18 remaining game the Raiders their first 20-point lead at 48-28, and West Plains (9-13, 1-5) came no closer than 17 points the rest of the way.

Defensively, Three Rivers turned in one of its best games of the season, limiting the Grizzlies to just 29% shooting from the field in the game (14-for-48). Aside from a 6-for-10, 17-point performance from Ryan Richardson, the rest of the Grizzlies shot just 21% (8-for-38) and scored just 24 points in the game.

The Raiders also dominated on the glass, outrebounding West Plains 40-15. Eight players had three or more rebounds in the game for TRC, including nine for Hampton, six apiece by Robert Alexander and William Patterson and five for Kevin Peleyron.

Joining Hampton in double figures for Three Rivers were Cole Nichols with 12 points, while Alexander added seven and the duo of Malek and Patterson had six apiece. Hampton had five assists, while Alexander had four.

Shunderrius Glass had seven points for the Grizzlies, while Richardson and Lionel Kumwimba each had a pair of steals.

The Raiders are back in action Saturday when Region XVI leader Moberly comes to town. Tipoff time is set for 7 p.m. at the Libla Family Sports Complex. Moberly (20-3, 6-0) held off Mineral Area 65-61 on Wednesday in Moberly.

Notes: Hampton is averaging 16.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game in Region XVI play, while Patterson is averaging 10 points and 5.6 rebounds against region foes. Meechie White, who missed Wednesday's game because of an injury, is averaging 11 points per game in region competition. … A win over Moberly Saturday would put the Raiders one game behind the Greyhounds in the loss column in Region XVI, while a loss to Moberly would give the the 'Hounds a nearly-insurmountable lead in region play.

Mike Buhler - Daily American Republic