(Park Hills, MO) On Saturday, February 17th, the Mineral Area Cardinals secured a decisive victory over the West Plains Grizzlies at The Bob Sechrest Fieldhouse in Park Hills, Missouri. The MAC Cardinals controlled the lead throughout the majority of the game and ultimately defeated the Grizzlies with an authoritative scoreline of 79-54.
Despite the win, MAC Cardinals Head Coach Greg Heiar expressed some reservations about his team's performance in the post-game interview with KFMO Sports. While the final score may suggest a one-sided affair, the coach believed that his team did not fully meet their own high standards during the game. Despite executing well-designed plays, the team struggled with missed opportunities, including numerous wide-open jump shots and free throws.
Leading the charge for the MAC Cardinals was Amarion Dickerson, who delivered an impressive performance with 22 points. He was ably supported by Marcus Watson Jr., who contributed 16 points, as well as Tyler Smith and Josh Meo, who added 11 and 10 points, respectively. Together, they showcased the team's offensive ability and depth, demonstrating their ability to score consistently throughout the game.
On the opposing side, Missouri State University - West Plains, with a record of 8-19 overall and 0-9 in conference play, faced a tough challenge against the nationally ranked MAC Cardinals. Despite a spirited effort, West Plains struggled to contain their opponents, with Carlos Paul III leading the team in scoring with 11 points.
With this victory, the MAC Cardinals improved their impressive season record to 26-1 overall and maintained a perfect 9-0 record in conference play. While acknowledging the win, the team remains focused on continued improvement and refinement as they strive to reach their full potential heading into the final push of the season
