Bulldogs Bounce Back with Convincing Win Over Zizzers
- RoMoAthletics
- Feb 8
- 4 min read
February 8th, 2026
The Rolla Bulldogs traveled to West Plains Friday night looking to bounce back from back-to-back losses where they trailed Class 6 powers by 24+ points in the second half. Despite a slow start that had the Bulldogs trailing 7 to 16 at the end of quarter one, the Bulldogs dominated the Zizzers in the final 3 quarters cruising to a 63-46 victory to move to 17-4 on the season.
Getting The Legs
After a long bus ride down Hwy 63 to West Plains, the Bulldogs were greeted by a raucous crowd packed into the West Plains gym for their Mid-Winter Coronation Game. The result was a 7 point quarter and a slow start for the Bulldogs where they shot just 22% from the field.
In contrast, the Zizzers lived up to their name of being a person of highest ability as they knocked down 4 of 5 3 point attempts in the opening period. The team logo looks more like a lightning bolt and that’s what it felt like to the Bulldogs and their fanbase as lightning seemed to be striking everywhere in the first period. Bulldogs trailed 7 to 16.
But that was the end of the lightning as the Bulldogs defense went to work. They held the Zizzers to one made basket in the 2nd quarter for only 3 points. West Plains was 0 for 6 from 2 and 1 for 7 from deep. They also could not connect on their two free throw attempts.
The Bulldogs defense was on point in that period collecting 3 steals and recording 2 blocks.The Bulldogs offense found their legs and hit on 7 of 11 shot attempts in the 2nd quarter including 1 of 3 from beyond the arc. The Bulldogs defense sparked their transition game leading to 8 points on the break and 5 points off turnovers.
Leading scoring in the quarter was 6’2” Sr guard Jenson Thomas as he went for 6 points in the quarter that had 5 Bulldogs hitting the scorebook. 6’4” Sr guard Ethan Brown had 2 driving baskets but was able to hand out four 80 foot assists in the quarter to a team that looked more like Greyhounds than Bulldogs. Thomas was the recipient of two of those passes as was 6’1” Sr guard Landen Richter and 6’5” Sr forward Nash Robinson. Rounding out the scoring for the quarter was 6’8” Sr forward Paxton Ledbetter who hit his first of 2 three pointers on the night.
Bulldogs Close Out
Enjoying a 24 to 19 lead at the half, the Bulldogs were significantly off the pace of their 70 points per game average. But the Bulldogs continued to grind away, content to work their game plan.
The Bulldogs controlled the glass coming out of the break with 9 rebounds versus 2 for the Zizzers. The Bulldogs pulled down 4 offensive rebounds as the they pounded the Zizzes inside the paint. The Bulldog sniper, 6’4” Sr guard Cooper Gideon, didn’t connect from downtown but he was a menace on the boards, as he pulled down a game high 9 rebounds.
As the Bulldogs took full control of the game, it seemed like the Zizzers were more interested in shortening the game by killing clock instead of trying to mount a comeback. With just over a minute to play and trailing by 14, 29 to 43, West Plains ran through their offense for over 40 seconds until finally take a deep 3 that they could have taken at any time previously.
The shot was off the mark and the Bulldogs got the rebound and held for the last shot of the quarter. With the Bulldogs spreading the floor, Brown dribbled the ball to chants of overrated by the rowdy student section as he let the time wind down to 7 seconds. The Zizzers defense started to creep towards the ball expecting a drive at any moment, but instead Ledbetter spun to the basket and Brown found him at the rim for an easy bucket to go into the fourth quarter, up 45-29.
The Bulldogs continued their steady play in the final quarter garnering another 5 offensive rebounds and closing out the game on the line hitting 7 of 8 free throws to move to 17-4 on the season securing a 63 to 46 win.
The Wrap Up
After the slow start, the Bulldogs took care of business in the final 3 quarters. They were able to get into their comfort zone and won the transition battle 10-0 as well as in points off turnovers 9 to 2.
It was great to see the Bulldogs back to controlling the glass and enjoy a 36 to 25 rebound advantage and 11 to 8 on offensive rebounds, The Bulldogs overall did not shoot well on the night as evident by losing the second chance points battle 9 to 11.
Brown led the Bulldogs in scoring with 18 points, while unofficially handing out 12 assists and no turnovers. Ledbetter finished the night with 14 points, 8 boards and 2 blocks.
Next Up
It’s Paws vs Claws week! On the road to take on the Waynesville Tigers (9-10) on Tuesday February 10th. Freshmen and JV will tip off at 5:30pm with Varsity to follow.
Last season was a 54-37 win for the Bulldogs at home
Rolla holds the history edge, 17-10 and has won the last 3 games and 13 of the last 15.
Rolla is averaging 70.5 PPG vs Waynesville at 52.3 PPG
Rolla’s defense is allowing 54 PA while Waynesville is at 53 PA
Common Opponent
Camdenton: Rolla W(67-34), Waynesville W(47-36)
Fox: Rolla W(93-52), Waynesville W(69-46)
Warrensburg: Rolla W(70-35), Waynesville L (53-58)
STATS Rolla 61, West Plains 46
The individual scoring (FG-FT-TP):
Rolla (17-4): Thomas 2-8-12, Richter 2-3-7, Forbis 1-0-2, Thorp-Lancaster 0-0-2, Gideon 2-0-4, Ledbetter 6-0-14, Brown 8-0-18, Smith 1-0-2, Robinson 1-0-2
West Plains (8-11): Miller 1-1-4, Kenslow 1-2-4, Kraft 5-5-18, Long 3-1-7, Moore 1-4-6, 3-1-7
The score by periods:
TEAM Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 F
Rolla 7 17 21 18 63
West Plains 16 3 10 17 46
Comments