The Missouri Western men’s basketball team picked up a big regional victory over the Upper Iowa Peacocks by a score of 84-79 on Monday evening in the fieldhouse.

The Griffons made 15-of-17 second half free throws and got a double-double from Cedric Clinkscales improving to 4-3 on the season. Clinkscales finished with 16 points and 14 rebounds. It was his seventh double-double of his career and first this season. His 14 rebounds was also a career high.

Western shot a sizzling 55.9-percent (19-34) from the field scoring 26 points in the paint on their way to a 42-39 halftime lead over visiting Upper Iowa. Cedric Clinkscales dumped in 10 points on 5-of-8 shooting and had a game high seven rebounds.

The Griffons never trailed in the opening half leading by as many as 10 points at 30-20 with 7:15 to play after a jumper by Kalvin Balque. Balque ha dseven points on 3-of-4 shooting off the bench. Dareon Jones also had a nice half for Missouri Western scoring nine pionts on 4-of-6 shooting.

The Peacocks closed the half on a 19-12 run cutting the lead to three at the half. They shot 41.4-percent (12-29) from the field and made 11-of-16 free throws. Back-to-back three’s by Josh Weeber helped the Peacocks down the stetch as he finished the half with 10 points on 3-of-5 shooting. He also led the Peacocks with five rebounds.

Western opened the second half on a 20-12 run opening up an 11 point lead at 62-51 after two free throws by Ryan Devers with 13:33 to play. The Peacocks stayed calm and took a their first lead of the game on a Weeber three with 5:56 to play at 67-66.

The Griffons stayed poised hitting big free throws down the stretch and getting a dunk by Balque with 27 seconds to play sealing the victory.

Missouri Western finished shooting 54.2-percent (32-59) from the field and 72.7-percent (16-22) from the free throw line. The Griffons had five players in double figures with Devers, Cortrez Colbert, Dareon Jones and Balque finishing with 16, 15, 14 and 11. MWSU also had 17 assists with four players getting at least three. Devers finished with six. Clinkscales also finished with a career best four blocks.

The Peacocks had three players in double figures with Grant lang finishing with 20 points off the bench. Weeber and Joey Woods each had 15 while Weeber and Jimmy Roth had six rebounds apiece. Western held Upper Iowa to 42.9-percent (27-63) shooting from the floor. UIU falls to 2-4 with the loss.

Missouri Western returns to action on Saturday, November 30 when they take on the the University of St. Mary’s (Kan.). Game time is set for 7:00 pm from the fieldhouse.

— MWSU Sports Information —