By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
Missouri Western trailed by three possessions a couple of different times, but a 15-2 run early in the second half sprung the Griffons' men's basketball team in a 72-67 exhibition win over Benedictine at the MWSU Fieldhouse Friday.
Missouri Western trailed 33-31 at halftime and were down 44-37 less than five minutes into the second half. After calling a timeout, the Griffons began to turn the tide.
A three-pointer from Reed Kemp and several key layups and rebounds from Taye Fields helped Western to a 52-46 lead with 10:38 to play.
"Credit to Benedictine," Missouri Western head coach Will Martin said on KFEQ Radio after. "This is why we like to play them every year, and it's usually why I like to go closed door (scrimmage), because of how good they are. Coach (Ryan) Moody does an unbelievable job. This is the most physical Benedictine team I've seen in my five years at Mo West."
The Ravens did not go quietly. Benedictine led 57-56 with 7:07 to play. However, a Julius Dixon three-pointer put the Griffons back up 63-57 with 4:15 to go, and Western didn't trail again.
Dixon, a Morehead State transfer, led Missouri Western with 18 points on 4-of-6 shooting from three. Reese Glover, who missed the last 14 games of the 2021-22 season, came back strong with 16 points Friday on 4-of-7 shooting from three.
Missouri Western was 9-of-22 from three, while Benedictine was just 3-of-15.
Fields had 11 points and a game-high 15 rebounds for the Griffons. Will Eames chipped in eight points and 11 boards. Kemp finished with nine points and four assists.
Benedictine outscored Missouri Western 40-26 in the paint, but they shot 14-of-25 at the free throw line, which helped the Griffons in a tight contest that featured 12 lead changes and seven ties. Missouri Western was a solid 16-of-21 at the charity stripe.
The Ravens had three assists to nine turnovers, while the Griffons had 11 assists and eight turnovers.
Senior Jayden Temme led three Ravens in double figures. He had 14 points. Senior Tyson Cathy had 12 points and seven rebounds. Braden Belt scored 10 points to go with three boards.
Benedictine opens their season at home on Nov. 2 against Haskell at 7 p.m. The Griffons one more exhibition - this one on Sunday, Oct. 30 at Rupp Arena at the University of Kentucky. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. The game will be carried on KFEQ Radio (680, 95.3) and the SEC Network.
"I think there's a lot to work on," Martin said, recapping his team's first live game of the season. "There were some positives and a ton of negatives. But, that's why you play these games. I'm excited to watch the film. I pry won't be very excited when I'm watching it, but it's those opportunities that allow you to grow."
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