Dzenan Mrkaljevic hit a jumper with one second left on the clock giving the Griffons the 61-59 victory over the Lincoln Blue Tigers. Mrkaljevic helped the Griffons end the game on a 10-3 run snapping a three game losing streak. Mrkaljevic scored a career high 17 points helping the Griffons improve to 8-10 overall and 4-6 in MIAA play.

The two teams played he first seven minutes of the ball game to a tie at 13. The next 11 minutes belonged to the Griffons using a 15-6 run to gain a nine point lead at 28-19 with just under two and a half minutes to play in the frame. The Blue Tigers scored the final five points of the half cutting the Griffons lead to 28-24 at the half.

The Griffons made 10 field goals and scored 13 second chance points. Mrkaljevic led the way with 10 points on 4-of-8 shooting. Lincoln made just 32-percent (8-25) field goals with Cedric Ridle dumping in 10 points.

It took Lincoln just 4:49 into the second half to claim the lead. Charles Cole nailed a three putting Lincoln up 39-38 with 15:11 to play. The Blue Tigers led the by as many as six in the second half but the Griffons were able to get hot late.

The Blue Tigers went up 56-51 with 5:54 to play after a Cole long range shot. The Griffon defense locked down the remainder of the game giving up just three points to Lincoln. Meanwhile a Reed Mells layup and an Adarius Fulton three tied the game at 56 with 3:02 to play.

Mrkajevic gave the Griffons a 59-56 lead with 1:30 to play nailing a long range shot. After a Ridle three with 1:20 to play tying the score at 59 the Griffons tightened up the defense forcing a Mario Bass turnover with 16 second to play. Mrkajevic remained hot hitting the biggest shot of his career helping MWSU escape Jefferson City with the win. He made 7-of-15 field goals and 3-of-5 long range shots.

The Griffons finished the game making 21-of-50 field goals and 11-of-29 long range shots. Fulton finished with 17 points making 5-of-12 long range shots.

Cole and Ridle combined for 33 of Lincoln’s 35 second half points finishing with 22 and 26 points respectively. Cole also had 11 rebounds while Bass had seven assists and three steals.

The Griffons return to action on Wednesday, January 30 with a home contest against the Pittsburg State Gorillas. Game time is set for 7:30 pm from the MWSU Fieldhouse.

— MWSU Sports Information —