COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri Western Men’s Basketball team opened the 2015-2016 season with a 92-53 loss in exhibition play at the University of Missouri.

Missouri Western struggled to get the offense going, shooting 30 percent from the field for the game, 27 percent from three-point range. The Griffons turned the ball over 17 times, nine of them coming in the first nine minutes of the game. Wes Mitter and Currie Byrd led the team with nine points each. Mataika Koyamainavure scored six in his first game as a Griffon. Aaron Emmanuel scored five and led the team with seven rebounds.

On the other side, Mizzou shot 57 percent from the field and 50 percent from behind the arc. K.J. Walton scored 17 for Missouri to lead all scorers. He was one of four Tigers to score double-digits with Tramaine Isabell adding 16, Russell Woods scored 13 and Wes Clark had 10.

The regular season begins for Missouri Western next weekend when the team hosts the 24th Annual Hillyard Tip-Off Classic on Nov. 13-14 at the MWSU Fieldhouse.

— MWSU Athletics —