JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – For the third straight time on the road in MIAA play, the Missouri Western men’s basketball team overcame a double-digit second half deficit to win with a 79-72 victory at Lincoln Thursday night. Not only was it the Griffons third straight come from behind win on the road, but it’s the first time since 2003 the Griffons have won three straight over MIAA opponents on the road.

Missouri Western nearly pulled off the comeback in regulation but Lincoln forced overtime on a Joshua Buie layup with just two seconds left in the game. Missouri Western took their first lead since 10 minutes into the game on Dareon Jones’ layup with 27 seconds left in regulation. Jones’ go-ahead bucket capped a 26-12 run that erased a 15-point Lincoln lead with 9:31 to go. Jones had 11 in that run including a three to pull the team within one. Jones finished with a career-high 20 points to lead the team along with Cortrez Colbert.

The Griffons controlled the overtime period, jumping out to a nine point lead with a 9-2 run to open the extra frame. The win moved MWSU to 9-9 on the season, 5-6 in the MIAA, and handed Lincoln their 10th straight loss.

Kevin Thomas scored 12 with eight rebounds to lead the team on the glass with Colbert’s eight. Aaron Emmanuel finished with 10 points and six rebounds. Jones added seven rebounds. The Griffons finished 42 percent from the field. After having 11 turnovers in the first half, MWSU finished with 15 for the game.

If Missouri Western is to extend its recent success on the road, they’ll have to do it against one of the MIAA’s top teams when they travel to St. Charles Saturday to take on Lindenwood.

— MWSU Sports Information —