The Missouri Western men’s basketball team won their season opener Friday night against Rockhurst 66-60 on the first day of the 23rd Annual Hillyard Classic inside the MWSU Fieldhouse.

The Griffons traded the lead with Rockhurst 11 times. The game was tied four times. Missouri Western did lead for 11 more minutes than the Hawks including at the final buzzer.  Neither team broke the 40 percent barrier from the field and were even in second chance points and bench points. The Griffons took advantage down low, doubling Rockhurst up in the paint, 36-18. The Griffons shot just 37.3 percent from the field and 22.2 percent from three point range.

Aaron Emmanuel led the team with 13 points. Freshman Currie Byrd added 12 and Ryan Devers chipped in 11. Cortrez Colbert led the team with nine rebounds. The Griffons got big contributions from this year’s freshman class. In addition to Byrd’s performance, Seth Bonifas scored five points and added three rebounds. Cole Celarman scored seven points and had three big steals.

The Griffons face William Jewell Saturday night in their second game of the Hillyard Tip-Off Classic. The Cardinals lost Friday to Northwest Missouri State, 91-85.

Rockhurst will take on Northwest Missouri State at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and then Missouri Western battles William Jewell at 7:00 p.m.  The game will air live on 680 KFEQ and the Griffon Sports Network.

— MWSU Sports Information —