ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western men’s basketball team snapped its three-game losing streak Saturday with an 84-68 win over Northeastern State inside the MWSU Fieldhouse.

Missouri Western used strong run midway through the first half to jump in front and stay in front. The Griffons trailed by seven with 11:11 left in the first half, but rattled off a 13-0 run to jump ahead by six. Missouri Western would follow that run with spurts of 7-0 and 6-0 to eventually take a 43-33 lead to halftime. Northeastern State cut the lead to single digits early in the second half but couldn’t slow the Griffon offense. Missouri Western shot 42 percent from the field on the night, 46 percent in the second half.

Trey Sampson matched a career-high with 23 points to lead all scorers. Miles Wentzien added a career-high 16 points for the Griffons. Aaron Emmanuel finished with 13 points,  seven rebounds and 10 assists.  Kevin Thomas and Currie Byrd also had seven rebounds.

The win improved Missouri Western to 4-9 overall and 2-5 in the MIAA. Central Oklahoma will visit the fieldhouse Monday night at 7:30. UCO blew a nine-point halftime lead in a 78-59 loss at Northwest Missouri on Saturday.

— MWSU Athletics —