The Missouri Western men’s basketball team wrapped up the 23rd Annual Hillyard Tip-Off Classic Saturday night with a 63-61 win over William Jewell.

The Griffons improve to 2-0 on the season and they won both games as the Hillyard Classic for the first time since 2011.

Western trailed for only three minutes in the game, grabbing the lead with 13:45 left in the first half on a Wes Mitter layup and never lost the lead from that point on.

Missouri Western went to the locker room at halftime with an 11 point lead but William Jewell was able to claw back late with a chance to tie at the buzzer but the Cardinals couldn’t get the shot off.

Missouri Western shot just 28.6 percent from the free throw line and 25 percent from behind the arc but did finish 46.6 percent from the field. Second chance points were big for the Griffons as they outscored William Jewell 19-12 in that category.

Several of those points came from transfer Kevin Thomas who finished with a game-high, 21 points and 11 rebounds. No other Griffon broke 10 points. Currie Byrd added nine points and eight rebounds. Ryan Devers and Aaaron Emmanuel each scored eight and Cole Clearman chipped in five.

The Griffons spend next week on the road, beginning Monday with a trip to Upper Iowa. The tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. and will be broadcast on 680 KFEQ AM.

— MWSU Sports Information —