Council Bluffs, IA -- The Iowa Western men, who were averaging 92 ppg in their previous three wins to open op the 2017-18 basketball season, faced off against similarly 3-0 Missouri State University - West Plains, who was averaging 102 points per contest in the opening night of the Holiday Inn / Hamption Inn Reiver Classic.

The contest between the two nationally respected programs included 9 lead changes and 7 ties; but when the dust settled the Reivers, who themselves shot 54% from the floor shooting, could not cool off the team from West Plains, MO and fell short 99-85.  The Grizzlies shot a blistering 60% from the floor in a game that was a two or three possession contest the entire way until the closing seconds.

Returning sophomores Patrick Dembley and Isaiah Wade contributed 22 and 20 points respectively. Decardo Day added another 18 points and last semester sit-out Jevon Smith chipped in 12 points.

It won't get much easier for the Reivers as they conclude the Holiday Inn / Hampton Inn Reiver Classic with another quality match-up.  Labette (KS) won game one of the classic with an easy win over Graceland JV, bumping their overall record to 3-1 on the early season.  Labette competes in the strong Jayhawk Conference of Kansas, and already has a win in that conference with a 84-80 victory over Allen County (KS) on Allen's home floor.

Tip-off of the fourth and final game of the classic between the Reivers and Cardinals will be Saturday night at 7:00pm from Kanesville Arena.