ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western men’s basketball team (6-6) defeated Rockhurst (6-4) 89-81 on Wednesday night to improve to .500. This season marks the first time since 2015 that the Griffons have had a .500 or better winning percentage through at least 10 games.

NOTABLES

• The Griffons used a 16-5 run to close out the first half. The Hawks were held to just one made field goal over the last seven minutes.
• Missouri Western held a 40-35 lead going into halftime.
• Tyrell Carroll paced the Griffons in the first half with 10 points and five assists.
• The Hawks used a three pointer to take their first lead of the second half at 12:06.
• Sam Siganos set up Lavon Hightower for the one-handed dunk to stretch the Griffon lead back to seven points with 7:21 to play.
• The Griffons went 15 for 18 from the free-throw line over the final five minutes to seal the non-conference victory.
• Missouri Western’s 42 percent three-point percentage is its best of the season.
• The Griffons also shot 48 percent from the field in the win, their second-best mark of the season.
• The Griffons shot 83 percent from the free-throw line with 25 made attempts.

LEADERS

• Carroll set a new career high with 23 points. Carroll’s seven assists also ties a career high.
• Hightower set a career high with 13 rebounds. Hightower also scored 18 points and played all 40 minutes.
• Siganos scored 12 points on 4-5 shooting from three.

UP NEXT

• Missouri Western will host Illinois Springfield (7-3) in its final non-conference game of the season on Dec. 30.
• The Prairie Stars have won five-straight games after their 76-65 win over Lindenwood-Belleville on Wednesday.

— MWSU Athletics —