Preview: Missouri State-West Plains Grizzlies at State Fair Roadrunners

SEDALIA, Mo. (Interstat) — Two men’s junior college basketball teams seeking momentum will meet Saturday when the State Fair Roadrunners host the Missouri State-West Plains Grizzlies.

The game, scheduled for Jan. 17, 2026, features programs with nearly identical struggling records. State Fair enters at 4-9 overall, while Missouri State-West Plains arrives at 3-8.

The Roadrunners are buoyed by a dramatic 83-80 overtime road victory over Moberly Area on Wednesday. Forward JP Ndong led the charge with 22 points and five rebounds in 24 minutes, continuing a stretch of strong play. In his last three games, Ndong has averaged 14 points and 5.3 rebounds.

Conversely, the Grizzlies are looking to rebound from a 94-74 home loss to Mineral Area that same night. Missouri State-West Plains has lost four of its last five, with the lone win in that span coming on Dec. 7.

A player to watch for the Grizzlies is Dassiah Green. He scored six points in 11 minutes off the bench in a Jan. 10 loss at Moberly Area.

State Fair’s recent win snapped a three-game skid. Before the victory, the Roadrunners fell 90-61 at Mineral Area on Jan. 7, a game in which Ndong scored 13 points in just 11 minutes.

The Grizzlies’ last road win was a 92-84 victory at Kaskaskia on Dec. 7. Their season highlights include a narrow 116-115 home win over Butler (Kan.) on Nov. 10.

This contest is the first of two regular-season meetings between the teams. They will meet again in West Plains on Jan. 31.

Following this game, State Fair will travel to Mineral Area on Jan. 24. Missouri State-West Plains’ next contest is at Three Rivers on Jan. 21.