Missouri Western trailed for most of Saturday night’s game against Fort Hays State before coming from behind to push the game into overtime, but the Tigers came out with the victory 84-74.
Cedric Clinkscales kept the Griffons in the game early. The starting forward went 4-for-6 from the field and had nine points at halftime. Besides Clinkscales, Alfreeman Flowers came off the bench and had a great half, going 4-for-4 for 10 points.
The teams were tied at 18 with 8:45 to play before the Tigers went on a big run to go ahead 35-25. The Tigers were 5-for-12 from the 3-point line and Missouri Western was just 3-for-15.
Missouri Western pulled within five at the half, 41-36, and the game stayed that way throughout the second half.
The Tigers took two different 9-point leads in the second stanza. With just more than 5 minutes to play, Hays led 68-59. Reed Mells grabbed a steal to lay in a fast-break basket. Adarius Fulton stole the ball on Hays’ next possession, and Flowers was eventually fouled and nailed two free throws to mark the game 68-63 with 4:46 to play.
Clinkscales added another steal for the Griffons before Kalvin Balque nailed two free throws. The momentum ended after Dwayne Brunson, who finished with 16 points, slammed a dunk home to give the Tigers a 70-66 lead with 2:14 to play.
After the game settled at 70-67, Fulton secured a fourth steal in as many minutes for the Griffons, and Mells nailed 3 assisted by Fulton to tie the game up at 70 apiece to send it into overtime. It was the first overtime game since the Griffons lost to Truman State on Jan. 11, 2012, 87-86.
Hays pulled ahead 77-74 with less than 1 minute to play in overtime. Tigers guard Craig Nicholson knocked a 3 down to give Hays a lead 80-74 and Missouri Western failed to pull closer on its next possession. The Tigers pulled out the overtime victory 84-74.
The Griffons were led by Clinkscales, who had 14 points and 12 rebounds. Flowers came off the bench to have a game-high 19 points. Fulton stole the ball five times to help the Griffons on defense.
Up next for the Griffons is a trip to Boca Raton, Fla. to play Barry University on Dec. 17 at 4:30 p.m. and then play against Lynn University at 6:30 p.m. the following night.
— MWSU Sports Information —