The Missouri Western men’s basketball team got outscored 40-14 in the paint and 48-31 in the second half falling 80-57 against the #19 Central Missouri Mules. The Griffons were led by senior Kalvin Balque with 15 points making 8-of-9 free throw attempts. The Griffons fall to 10-16 overall and 5-13 in MIAA play.
Despite struggling from the field making just 35.7-percent (10-28) field goal attempts and 25.0-percent (2-8) long range range the Griffons went into halftime down just 32-26 against the Mules. the Griffons were led by Charlie Marquardt with eight points on 4-of-5 shooting.
The Griffons battled the Mules tough for the first five minutes going into the first media timeout down just 8-7 at the 15:01 mark of the half. From there the Mules used a 13-4 run claiming their largest lead of the half at 21-12 after a Dillon Deck layup with 9:07 to play in the half.
Instead of folding the Griffons fought back using a 10-2 run cutting the Mule lead to one at 23-22 after Dareon Jones nailed his second three pointer of the frame at the 6:58 mark. The Mules outscored the Griffons down the stretch 9-4 claiming the six point halftime lead.
Missouri Western got out rebounded 22-15 in the half and 7-3 on the offensive end of the floor. The Mules outscored the Griffons 20-10 in the paint and were led by Deck with 11 points and five rebounds. The Mules made 46.9-percent (15-32) of their field goals but just 1-of-8 long range shots and 1-of-5 free throws.
The Griffons cut the Mule lead to three just a minute and a half into the second frame after two Balque free throws. That was the closest the Griffons would get as the Mules dominated the rest of the frame opening up their largest lead of the game at 69-45 with 7:01 to play. They cruised to the 23 point victory improving to 23-4 overall and 15-3 in MIAA play.
Ryan Devers and Marquardt dumped in 13 and 12 points respectively as Devers led the charge on the boards with six rebounds.
The Mules shot 53.2-percent (33-62) from the field and which included 60-percent (18-30) in the second half. Deck led the charge with 29 points and 10 rebounds.
The Griffons will play their final game of the regular season on Saturday, March 1 against the Southwest Baptist Bearcats in Bolivar, Mo. Tip time is set for 3:30 pm. The Griffons need a win or a Pittsburg State loss to get into next weeks MIAA Tournament.
— MWSU Sports Information —