By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
KANSAS CITY - The Missouri Western men’s basketball team fell just short against Rogers State in a 52-49 loss in the first round of the MIAA Tournament Wednesday night at Municipal Auditorium Arena in Kansas City.
The Hillcats (16-13, 10-13 MIAA) took a 51-49 lead with 24 seconds left, thanks to an 'and-one' from Joey Saracco. The Griffons had the ball down three with seven seconds left. Freshman Justin Bubak, who led the Griffons with 13 points on three made triples, had a look at a tying three-pointer from the corner, but it missed short of the side of the rim.
"I mean, (Bubak) had a decent look at it," assistant coach Jon Hood said after. "Any time he shoots the ball from the corner, I think it's going in. We trust Justin shooting that shot."
Hood says it’s obviously not the way they wanted to end the year, especially for their three seniors.
"There's only one happy team at the end of the year and it obviously didn't end the way we wanted it to," Hood said. "Not the way coach Martin wanted to, not the staff and especially not the seniors. And that's what it's about right now are these seniors."
Q Mays, Caleb Bennett and Tony Chukwuemeke all played their final game Wednesday in a Griffon uniform.
Freshman Taye Fields had a solid game for the Griffons with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Both teams shot under 35 percent from the field. Missouri Western was 7-of-30 from three, and 8-of-14 at the free throw line. The Griffons also had 18 turnovers.
"It's not on the guys," Hood said. "We have to put them in better positions and help facilitate them and help facilitate points."
Devin Pullum led Rogers State with 20 points. Saracco had 9. The Hillcats, who lost to Missouri Western in St. Joseph 68-52 on Dec. 2, 2021, made 14-of-17 free throws to help them secure a win.
The Griffons end the season with a 14-17 record.
Rogers State will face Northwest Missouri State in quarterfinals Thursday night at 8:15.
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