POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. (Interstat) — The Mineral Area Cardinals defeated the Three Rivers Raiders 61-53 in a men’s junior college basketball game Saturday, overcoming a significant pregame projection.

Mineral Area built a 61-53 victory by holding Three Rivers to just 30% shooting from the floor. The Raiders managed only 18 field goals on 60 attempts and struggled at the free-throw line, making 11 of 26. Matt Hampton led Three Rivers with 7 assists and 7 rebounds in 36 minutes. Drew Ward scored a team-high 13 points.

The win improved Mineral Area’s record to 16-9, while Three Rivers fell to 17-9. The result split the teams’ regular-season series, with each winning on its home court.