By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
The Missouri Western women's basketball team overcame a three-point halftime deficit in a big way, outscoring Emporia State 44-22 in the second half and rolling to an 80-60 win over the Hornets at Civic Arena in St. Joseph Thursday.
Missouri Western (7-3, 3-2 MIAA) dominated on the glass 47-27, including 19-7 on offensive rebounds.
The Griffons got 35 bench points and sunk 10 three-pointers in the win. Connie Clarke led four Griffs in double figures with 17 points. She also had nine rebounds, five assists and five steals.
Tiani Ellison logged 12 points, while Mary Fultz and Alyssa Bonilla each had 10.
Missouri Western shared the ball very well, doling out 21 assists. The Griffons were a solid 12-of-14 at the free throw line. They also blocked seven total shots.
The loss snapped what was a four-game winning streak for Emporia, handing the Hornets their first conference loss of the season.
Faith Paramore led Emporia with 21 points - 20 of that came in the first half.
Candi Whitaker interview
Tiani Ellison interview
Full audio broadcast
Griffon men use big second half run to pull away from #15 ESU
Following a couple of tough road losses to Nebraska-Kearney and Fort Hays State last week, and after seemingly disappointing defensive play to open the 2023-24 season, Missouri Western men's basketball coach Will Martin had an idea.
His team practiced for about two hours Monday. They did so without basketballs. Two grueling hours, where defense was the prime focus.
Message received.
The Griffons (8-2, 3-2 MIAA) held No. 15 Emporia State to a season-low scoring output and dominated the second half in a 76-54 win over the Hornets at Civic Arena Thursday.
Missouri Western got up nine early and led 28-25 at the break. The Griffons trailed for only 1:57 of total game time. They used a 13-0 run to go up 54-41 with 7:42 to play.
Missouri Western led it by double figures from that point on, ending the game on a 13-3 run over the final 4:27.
JaRon Thames turned in a terrific effort with a season-high 25 points to go with nine rebounds. Julius Dixon added 19 points and eight boards, hitting 3-of-6 from downtown.
Taye Fields logged his second double-double of the season with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Reese Glover scored nine points - all on three-pointers - and that was enough to put him at 1,000 career points.
The Griffons dominated on the rebounds 41-25, including 32-16 on the defensive glass. Missouri Western held Emporia (9-2, 3-1 MIAA) to a season-low scoring output on a modest 32.9% shooting effort. The Hornets were just 3-of-19 from three as well.
Missouri Western shot 66.7% in the second half, outscoring Emporia 48-29 over the final 20 minutes. The Griffs were also solid at the free throw line, hitting 11-of-13.
Emporia saw a nine-game winning streak come to an end Thursday.
This now marks four straight wins over Emporia State for the Griffon men. It's also the 50th career win for Will Martin at Missouri Western.
Both Griffon teams stay at Civic Saturday to host Washburn. The women tip at 1:30, the men at 3:30. Both games will be on KFEQ Radio (680, 95.3).
Will Martin, Reese Glover interview
Full audio broadcast
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