Missouri Western State University opened up their basketball season on the road on Thursday in Claremore, OK taking on Rogers State, and both the men and women got their seasons started off on the right track with a pair of wins
Second year head coach Candi Whitaker led her team to an 83-81 win to start off the evening for the Griffons. It was a pair of freshman that paced the lady Griffon squad in Mary Fultz and Camille Evans who paced the team with 18 points each.
Evans was ultimately the one that sealed the victory for the Lady Griffons, laying the ball up and in with five seconds left on the clock, giving the Griffons the lead in what was a comeback effort for the team. It wasn't an easy win as the Griffons trailed by 18 points at halftime.
It was a debut night for much Whitaker's team as the Lady Griffons debuted ten new faces, including Fultz and Evans.
For the Griffon men it was a back and forth effort with Rogers State in the debut game of new men's head coach Will Martin, who took over for Sundance Wicks after his departure in the offseason.
The Griffons saw themselves tied at halftime at 25 a piece, then both teams went on to score 26 in the second half to force overtime, and that's where Missouri Western took off putting up 17 to win the game 68-55.
Much like last season it was junior Tyrell Carroll who led the team with 17 points, Carroll last season averaged 17.7 points per game, while junior Q Mays added 13 points in the game.
The Griffon women will now get set to continue their road trip heading to Tahlequah, OK to take on Northeastern State, who are coming off a win over Northwest Missouri State University, with a 1 pm tipoff time
Meanwhile the men will prepare for their next matchup on December 3rd against Lincoln University, back at the MWSU Fieldhouse, after their matchup with Northeastern State was postponed earlier this week until December 8th