MARYVILLE, Mo. – The Missouri Western men’s basketball team put a scare into the top-ranked team in the nation like they had not had all season. Trailing by 16 with 5:15 to go, Missouri Western (12-17, 6-12) cut the lead to one with 29 seconds left before falling 70-68 in front of a capacity crowd on senior night at Northwest Missouri State (28-0, 18-0).

Lavon Hightower completed a four-point play with 29 seconds remaining to cut the Northwest lead to 67-66. The senior knocked down a guarded three and was fouled before making his free throw. Kirk Finley made one of two free throws on the ensuing Bearcat possession. It was Hightower’s turn to possibly be the hero again with seven seconds left, but he missed a three point attempt. Ryan Welty then knocked down two free throws to make it 70-66. Tyrell Carroll made a layup as time expired to give the Griffons 68 points.

NOTABLES

• It was the closest any team had come to the undefeated MIAA champions since Northern State lost to Northwest by two in overtime in the first game of the season
• Missouri Western held Northwest to 14 percent three-point shooting in the first half to trail by six at the break
• For the game, Northwest shot 23 percent from three, its second lowest total of the season
• MWSU won the battle on the glass, out-rebounding Northwest 39-34
• The Griffons out-scored the Bearcats 34-30 in the paint and 12-6 on second chance points thanks to 12 offensive boards
• The game featured seven lead changes and four ties, all in the first half

LEADERS

• Hightower finished with 20 points, all coming in the second half, and a team-high 11 rebounds
• Tyrell Carroll had 18 points and five rebounds
• Bryan Hudson finished with 14 points

UP NEXT

• Missouri Western ends the regular season, Saturday, at Washburn (21-5, 14-3).

— MWSU Athletics —