The Missouri Western men’s basketball team shot just 37.7-percent (23-61) from the field falling 66-64 against the Lindenwood Lions. The Griffons got out rebounded 40-28 in the game falling to 9-11 overall and 4-8 in MIAA play.
A late 9-2 run by the Lions put them up 32-25 after one half of play. The Griffons played well for the first 16 minutes of the game leading by as many as six at 17-11 after a Dzenan Mrkaljevic jumper with 8:11 to play in the frame. The Lions dominated the rest of the frame shooting 50-percent (10-20) from the field with Darris Smith and Michael Boos leading the charge with eight points apiece.
The Griffons shot 40.7-percent (11-27) with Ryan Devers leading the charge with nine points making all of his shot attempts. The Griffons got outrebounded 15-11 in the frame and the Lions had five blocked shots. Cortrez Colbert led the Griffons with 4 rebounds and 3 assists.
The Griffon faught from behind the whole game and could never get over the hump. They cut the score to under five numerous times but everytime the Lions had an answer.
Missouri Western opened the half on a 7-4 run cutting the deficit to four at 36-32 after a Charlie Marquardt three point play. The Lions responded pushing its lead back to nine at the 11:48 mark after two free throws by Smith. Just minutes later the Griffons two Adarius Fulton three pointers got the Griffons to within three but again the Lions pushed its lead to 11 after a Smith Jumper with 6:05 to play.
The Griffons remained calm and with 25 second to play trailed by just three at 64-61 after a Dareon Jones long range jumper. Missouri Western stole the ball the next Lion possession but a three by Fulton to tie the game came up shot. Fulton hit his third three of the game as time expired giving Lindenwood the two point win. The Lions improve to 9-13 overall and 4-8 in MIAA play.
Devers led the Griffons with 17 points and nine rebounds while Marquardt and Jones finished with 15 and 10 respectively. Colbert dished out six assists and had five rebounds.
The Lions shot 42.2-percent (19-45) from the field but made 79.3-percent (23-29) free throws. Smith finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds while Garrett Reeg had 15 points and nine boards.
The Griffons return to action on Wednesday, February 5 with a road contest against Northwest Missouri State University. Game time is set for 7:30 pm in Bearcat Arena.
— Northwest Sports Information —