The Missouri Western men’s basketball team saw its first action of the 2012-2013 season Tuesday evening. The Griffons hung in there against Division I Missouri State University falling 81-67 in exhibition play. Missouri Western had two players in double digit scoring as Adarius Fulton dumped in 20 points while Alfreeman Flowers dumped in 13 off the bench.
The Griffon stayed close for 15 minutes of the first half as they trailed by just one at 30-29 with 4:40 to play after Flowers nailed a jumper off an assist by James Harris. There were four ties and just one lead change in the opening frame.
The Griffons took the early 2-0 lead after two free throws by Dylan Frantz. MWSU continued to play well tying the score at 14 after a Fulton three pointer with 13:06 to play in the first frame. The Griffons got down by as many as five the next six minutes but a layup by Kalvin Balque and a long range shot from Dzenan Mrkaljevic tied the game at 27 wiht 5:16 to play.
The rest of the half belonged to the Bears as they outscored the Griffons 20-5 taking the 47-32 lead into the half. The Bears scored 14 points off seven Griffon turnovers and had 28 points off the bench to the Griffons eight.
MWSU shot 60-percent (12-20) from the field and made 4-of-8 long range shots. Seven different Griffons scored in the half with Fulton scoring nine points making three long range shots. Missouri State shot 53.3-percent from the field with Gavin Thurman leading the chagre with 17 points making five of the Bears 12 first half three pointers.
In the second half Missouri State opned up an 18 point lead at 55-37 after a jumper by Dorrian Williams. The Griffons chipped away cutting the Bear lead to 12 with 6:35 to play at 68-55 after a Fulton long range shot. MWSU got even closer three minutes later cutting the lead to 10 at 75-65 after a Flowers jumper.
That would be the closest the Griffons would get as they fell by 14. The Griffons outrebounded the Bears 30 to 24 overall and seven to five on the offenisve end of the floor.
Mrkaljevic finished with 8 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists while Cedri Clinkscalses dumped in 9 points and snared 5 rebounds. Alex Tuluka-Mfumupembe had 8 points and 7 rebounds.
MWSU finished making 25-of-50 field goals and going 8-for-12 from long range.
Missouri State had 20 assists on 27 field goals and made 17 three pointers. Thurman had 21 points while Anthony Downing and Marcus Marshal pitched in 15 and 14 respectively.
The Griffons will return to exhibition play on Friday, November 2 against Livin the Dream in St. Joseph, Mo. Game time is set for 7:30 pm in the MWSU Fieldhouse.
— MWSU Sports Information —