ST. JOSEPH - For the first time in 15 years the Missouri Western men's basketball team (9-11, 5-4) is 7-0 at home after gutting out an 81-75 victory over Nebraska-Kearney (12-7, 6-4) on Saturday afternoon.
The Griffons trailed by as many as eight points early in the first half, but a 9-0 run gave MWSU its first lead of the game halfway through the first half. Overall, the lead changed hands five times in the game that was tied five times.
Eventually, the Griffons built a 12-point lead with 5:16 to go, but UNK wouldn't go away easily. The Lopers trailed by two with 31 seconds to go, but the Griffons were able to force two consecutive UNK turnovers and make free throws down the stretch to secure their fifth MIAA victory of the season.
NOTABLES
- Missouri Western shot 52% in the second half, almost 10% better than its first half percentage while limiting UNK to just one made 3-pointer on seven attempts.
- The Griffons missed just three free throw attempts in the game, going 19 for 22 in the contest.
- MWSU got 26 points from its bench, highlighted by a career-high 22 points from JaRon Thames.
- Tyus Millhollin knocked down four 3-pointers for the second straight game and scored 16 points.
- Tyrell Carroll added 13 points with a team-high seven assists.
- Beau Baker matched a career-hgih with 11 points on 4 of 5 shooting from the field and 3 for 3 shooting at the free throw line.
- Will Eames pulled down a career-high 14 rebounds.
UP NEXT
The Griffons play their next two games on the road beginning with a trip to Central Oklahoma (7-12, 4-6) on Jan. 30. The Bronchos take a three-game losing streak into Emporia State on Sunday.
--- MWSU Athletics ---