Big shots down the stretch paid off for the Missouri Western men’s basketball team in a 54-50 win over Emporia State Thursday night. The win moves the team’s overall record to 7-6 and 3-3 in MIAA play.

After Emporia State grabbed a five-point lead with 11:49 to go, Cortrez Colbert sank a three to tie the game at 36. Colbert erased a three-point ESU lead with 8:59 left with another big shot to tie the game at 39 and he gave MWSU the lead back, 42-39 when he made yet another three with 7:33 to go. Missouri Western would stretch its lead to five before Emporia State climbed back to tie it at 46 with 4:30 left. Then it was Cole Clearman’s turn. The freshman drilled a three with 1:50 left that gave the Griffons the lead for good.

Colbert finished with 22 points. It’s the fourth time in the last five games that the senior has eclipsed 20 points. Clearman added 13 on 3-of-5 shooting from behind the arc. The Griffons shot 56 percent in the second half after shooting just 29 percent from the field in the first frame. MWSU was 10-18 from behind the arc in the second half.

Missouri Western stays in the fieldhouse with the second of three in a row at home when Pittsburg State visits Saturday at 3:30 PM.  The game will be broadcast on 680 KFEQ and here at StJosephPost.com.

— MWSU Sports Information —