Missouri Western gave Head Coach Tom Smith his 600th career victory with a 69-55 win over the Fontbonne University Griffins. Lavonte Douglas led the way for the Griffons collecting a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds lifting the Griffons to a 1-0 start.

The first half was an offensive struggle for the Griffons starting the game just 1-11. Dylan Frantz scored the first Griffon basket on a three point bucket just 49 seconds into the half. Western did not get their next field goal until the 12:21 mark of the half when Frantz nailed a jumper cutting the Fontbonne lead to 8-7.

The rest of the half belonged to Fontbonne as they built an eight point lead at 34-26 off a Bryton Curtis jumper with eight seconds to play. Frantz ended the half like he started nailing a three as time expired closing the Fontbonne lead to 34-29.

The Griffons battled in the second half outscoring Fontbonne 40-21 in the final frame. Douglas came out playing hard dumping in 11 points and snaring seven rebounds while making 5-of-7 shots. Western had 28 bench points in the half and made 15-of-30 field goal attempts on their way to the opening night victory.

Western had two other players in double figures with James Harris dumping in 17 points and Frantz scoring 15. Frantz connected on 5-of-6 field goal attempts in the game. TJ Johnson finished with eight points and eight rebounds and dished out five assists.

Fontbonne was led by Yada Demisse with 15 points while Saliou Dioum and Eric Hamilton pitched in 11 and 10 respectively.

The Griffons will play next on Monday, November 14 when they host Manhattan Christian University. Tip time is set for 7:00 pm from the MWSU Fieldhouse.

— MWSU Sports Information —