ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western men’s basketball team (6-7) fell to Illinois Springfield (8-3) in the team’s final non-conference game of the season on Sunday afternoon. The Griffons cut the deficit to just three points with 2:13 remaining, but fell to the Prairie Stars by a final score of 89-81.

NOTABLES

• The Prairie Stars held a 44-43 after a back-and-forth first half. There were 11 lead changes and seven ties before halftime.
• Lavon Hightower and Bryan Hudson paced the Griffons in the first half, combining for 28 first-half points.
• Tyrell Carroll gave Missouri Western its only lead of the second half with a three-pointer with 17:28 to play.
• Illinois Springfield shot 37 free throws in the win, the most allowed by the Griffons all season.
• The Prairie Stars won the turnover battle, forcing 10 more turnovers than the Griffons.
• The Griffons finish 6-5 in non-conference play this season.

LEADERS

• Lavon Hightower earned a double-double with 22 points and a game-high 11 boards.
• Tyrell Carroll scored 21 points, going 3-4 from distance.
• Bryan Hudson added 15 points and four assists.

UP NEXT

• Missouri Western will travel to Central Oklahoma (7-4, 0-2 MIAA) on Jan. 3.
• Both teams will be in search of their first MIAA win this season.

— MWSU Athletics —