The Missouri Western men dropped its fourth straight game closing out the 2012 season with an 88-80 loss against Lynn University on Wednesday night. Cedric Clinkscales scored a game-high 23 points for the Griffons as they fall to 4-6 on the season.
Despite shooting 60 percent from the field in the first half the Griffons still found themselves down 48-41 at the half. The Knights jumped out to an early 10-3 lead and built a 12 point lead at 48-36 with 1:38 remaining after a Pavle Raickovic layup. MWSU used a Clinkscales three point play and a James Harris layup cutting the lead to seven at the half.
The Griffons were led by Clinkscales in the first half with 10 points while they made 7-of-15 long range shots as a team. Dzenan Mrkaljevic, Alex Tuluka-Mfumupembe and Harris all made two three’s in the half.
Lynn shot 50 percent from the field and 69.2 percent from the charity line. Brandon Smith scored 10 points in the first half while three other Knights recorded nine a piece.
The Griffons rallied after the half cutting the deficit to two at 15:31 after a jumper by Reed Mells at 53-51. Lynn answered back with a 12-4 run and the visitors were unable to recover as the clock ran out. Lynn’s biggest lead came at 4:53 after a layup from Slobodan Miljanic for the 82-65 lead and hung on for the eight point win.
The Griffons shot 52.7-percent (29-55) in the game and made 11-of-28 long range shots. Mells and Tuluka-Mfumupembe dumped in 11 and 10 points respectively. Mrkaljevic and Mells dished out six assists apiece.
LU shot 54.2 percent from the field in the second half while the Griffons shot 46.7 percent. The Knights tallied 33 rebounds, 11 of them being offensive. The Blue and White shot 92.9 percent from the charity line in the second half. Lynn averaged 51.9 percent shooting from the field throughout the game. Kevin Ohen led the Knights with 16 points and eight rebounds. Lynn to 7-3 with the win.
The Griffons will have a short winter vacation before they return in January for MIAA play. The Griffons will be back in action on the road at MIAA newcomer Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Okla. on January 3. Tip-off is set for 7:30 pm.
— MWSU Sports Information —