ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western men’s basketball team lost at home to Missouri Southern Thursday night 84-73.  The Griffons fall to 9-12 and 3-7 in the MIAA, while Southern improves to 17-4 and 8-3 in league play.

NOTABLES

• Both teams struggled offensively in the first half, as both shot under 35 percent from the field.
• Lavon Hightower paced the Griffons in the first half with 11 points and three made three pointers.
• Tyrell Carroll’s layup brought the Griffons within one point at 57-56 with 9:23 remaining in the second half.
• After the Lions stretched their lead, Sam Siganos drilled a three from the corner to cut the deficit to one with under seven minutes to play.
• The Lions held the Griffons to just four made field goals over the last five minutes.
• Missouri Southern’s biggest advantage came in getting to the free-throw line. The Lions shot 30 free throws compared to the Griffons’ seven.
• Neither team led by double digits until the Lions went up 10 points with 31 seconds left in the game.
• Both teams took care of the ball on offense, combining for just 15 turnovers.
• The Griffons’ shot 38 three pointers on Thursday, their second-highest total this season.

LEADERS

• Hightower led the Griffons in scoring with 20 points.
• Bryan Hudson added 16 points with a team-high nine rebounds.
• Tyrell Carroll led all players with five assists to go along with his 12 points.
• Missouri Southern’s Cam Martin finished with a game high 32 points with 14 made free throws.

UP NEXT

• Missouri Western will host Pittsburg State (14-6, 7-4 MIAA) on Saturday, Feb. 2.
• The Gorillas lost by 28 points to No. 2 Northwest Missouri on Thursday.

— MWSU Athletics —