The Missouri Western men’s basketball team upset the #1 ranked Missouri Southern Lions 75-67 on Wednesday evening in the fieldhouse. The Griffons shot 52.2-percent (24-46) from the field with James Harris leading the charge with a game high 26 points. Western improves to 6-3 overall and 1-2 in MIAA action.

The Missouri Western men nailed 6-of-7 long range shots and 9-of-12 free throws as they took a 41-26 lead into the break against the high powered Lions. After getting down 2-0 the Griffons went on an 11-0 run. During that stretch the Griffons made 6-of-8 free throw attempts. Western continued playing well claiming a 19 point lead at 34-15 after three point basket from Harris with 5:45 to play in the half.

Eight straight points by Southern’s Keane Thomann and a basket by Christian Salecich cut the Griffon lead to 38-26 with 1:29 to play before half but a Lavonte Douglas free throw and a Reed Mells jumper helped the Griffons go into half with the 15 point lead.

Harris scored 15 points on 5-of-10 shooting while the Griffons connected on 13-of-23 field goals for 56.5-percent. The Lions shot 37.9-percent (11-29) from the floor with Thomann dumping in 10 points.

The second half would be a back and forth battle with both teams going on mini runs. Western used a 12-6 run early in the half building their largest lead of the half at 59-43 after Harris nailed a long range shot with 11:57 to play.

The Lions cut the Griffon lead to 10 multiple times down the stretch but Western responded and held on for the eight point upset.

Western made 11-of-14 three point shots with Harris connecting on 5-of-6 from down town.  Deionta Mitchell finished with 14 points nailing three huge three’s in the second half.  Mells had a nice night off the bench pitching in 10 points on 3-of-4 shooting.

Southern shot 41.8-percent (28-67) from the field as Thomann finished with a double-double scoring 22 points and snaring 13 rebounds. Jason Adams finished with 17 points. The Lions fall to 9-1 overall and 2-1 in the MIAA.

Western travels to Hays, Kan. on Saturday, December 10 to take on the 10th ranked Fort Hays State Tigers. Game time is set for 4:00 pm from Gross Memorial Coliseum. If you can make the game listen to all the action on 680 AM KFEQ.

— MWSU Sports Information —