The Missouri Western men turned the ball over 19 times in the game and made just eight shots in the first half falling 71-60 against the Emporia State Hornets. The Griffons fall to 7-9 overall and 3-5 in MIAA play with the loss.

The Griffons raced out to an early 12-10 lead in the first five and a half minutes of the first half. From there MWSU went ice cold from the field scoring just 10 points the final 14:26 of the frame. The Hornets on the other had capitalized on Griffon mistakes to claim a 30-22 halftime lead.

Kalvin Balque led the Griffons with seven points while six other Griffons got in the scoring column. The Hornets shot 50-percent in the half with Kaleb Wright leading the way with 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting.

The Griffons shot the ball better in the second half  (51.7-percent) making 15-of-29 field goals, but trailed by double digits most of the frame. The Hornets were on fire sinking 56-percent (16-26) of its second half field goals improving to 7-7 overall and 2-4 in MIAA play.

Emporia State shot .560 (28-50) from the field while Missouri Western shot .430 (23-53) on the day. Kalvin Balque scored a career high 20 points and pulled down five rebounds for the Griffons. Cedric Clinkscales had 16 points and pulled down six rebounds on the afternoon.

For the Hornets Gavin Brown had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Chris Sights scored 17 points and Kaleb Wright scored 16 points in the ESU effort.

The Griffons return to action on Wednesay, January 23 when they travel to Warrensburg, Mo. to take on the Central Missoui Mules. Tip off is scheduled for 7:30 pm from the UCM Muli-Purpose Building. It will be a emotional night for coach Smith as he will coach his final regular season game at the school he started at (UCM 1975-80).

— MWSU Sports Information —