Box Score ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Parkland men's basketball team defeated Missouri State University-West Plains in a defensive slugfest early on Sunday afternoon, winning 58-50 in the first game of the Missouri-Illinois Challenge in St. Louis. The Cobras went 16-24 from the free throw line in the second half to make up for poor shooting performance (18-69 FG), and coach Figueroa's squad outrebounded the Grizzlies 63-53 in the win. Savon Wykle scored a team-high 14 points and A'Kieon Gill finished with his first double-double of the season (12 points, 11 rebounds).
 
The Cobras (5-4) played tough defense to begin the game but couldn't find the bottom of the net on offense. Parkland shot 10/38 from the field in the and trailed the Grizzlies (5-8) by seven points late in the first half, before the Cobras tipped in a missed free throw at the buzzer to cut the deficit to 29-25 at the half. MSU-West Plains opened the second half on a 5-0 run, but the offense went cold again as the game continued. Parkland climbed back into the game thanks to tough rebounding and getting opportunities at the free throw line, going 16-24 from the charity stripe and limiting the Grizzlies to just 21 points in the second half. The scoring by the Cobras was very evenly distributed, as all five starters scored eight or more points.  Josh Candler stepped up for the Cobras, providing a veteran presence off the bench to go along with three points in just over seven minutes of action in the 58-50 win.
 
Statistical Overview:
Savon Wykle: 14 points (6-8 FT), 8 rebounds, 3 blocks
A'Kieon Gill: 12 points (6-8 FT), 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
Josh Rivers: 12 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 steals
Jamil Hardaway: 8 points, 11 rebounds
Sean Ealy: 8 points
 
Up next, the Cobras return home on Tuesday, December 7th to host Southeastern Illinois College. Tip off is scheduled for 7:00 PM.