The Missouri Western men’s basketball team handled Livin the Dream Thursday night at the fieldhouse on the way to a 102-63 exhibition victory.

After falling behind by four at the 17:54 mark, the Griffons turned it on and led by as many as 40 with 1:23 to play. TJ Johnson paced the Griffons with 20 points. Five Griffons finished with double-digit scoring: James Harris with 16, Deionta Mitchell scored 15, newcomer Dylan Frantz added 14 and Shawn Tarver chipped in with 11.

Western outscored Livin the Dream 34-12 in the paint and out rebounded LTD, 46-25. Justin Reid and Frantz led the team with seven rebounds apiece. Tevin Harris and Tarver each added 6 boards. LTD was led by Drew Mathews with 12 points. Jared Smith and Carvelle Taylor each pitched in 10.

The Griffons shot close to 55 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from behind the arc. Western was 74 percent from the charity stripe.

Head coach Tom Smith gets his first shot at win No. 600 when the Griffons open regular season play, Saturday, Nov. 12 against Fontbonne University at 7:30 p.m. in the fieldhouse.

— MWSU Sports Information —