The Griffon men offensive struggles continued in Warrensburg falling 64-48 against the Central Missouri Mules on Saturday afternoon. The Griffons scored a season low 48 points dropping their sixth straight MIAA game and falling to 6-9 overall and 1-8 in MIAA play.

The first nine minutes of the first half looked good for the Griffons as they took a seven point (14-7) lead after a Reed Mells lay-up. Western went cold the next eight minutes of play missing seven straight shots getting down by 12 at 27-15 after two good free throws by Boo Hunter with 5:23 to play.

The two teams play the rest of the half even as Western went into the locker room down 35-23. Western outscored the Mules 14 to 10 in the paint but got outscored 22 to 8 off the bench. Western made just 33.3-percent (9-27) of their field goals with Lavonte Douglas leading the way with five points. Seven Griffons scored in the first half.

The Mules made 11-of-27 field goals with Widgett Washington leading all scorers with nine points off the bench. The Mules had 12 more rebounds than the Griffons scoring 11 second chance points.

Western battled in the second half but never got closer than nine points. Deionta Mitchell hit a three at the 10:34 mark of the second half cutting the Mule lead to nine at 47-38. The Mules extended their lead to as many as 18 the rest of the way picking up the 16 point victory. UCM improves to 10-4 overall and 6-3 in MIAA play.

Douglas was the only Griffon in double digits scoring 14 points while snaring five rebounds. He connected on 6-of-11 field goal attempts.

The Mules were led by Hunter with 14 points connecting on 8-of-10 free throw attempts. Washington scored 13 off the bench while the Mules outrebounded the Griffons 42 to 27 in the game.

Western will wrap up the first half of MIAA play on Tuesday, January 17 when they travel to Bolivar, Mo. to take on the Southwest Baptist Bearcats. Game time is scheduled for 7:30 pm.

— MWSU Sports Information —