LIBERTY, Mo. – The Missouri Western men’s basketball team overcame a big second half deficit to give itself a chance to win the game, but came up short in a 79-73 loss at William Jewell on Tuesday night.

William Jewell led by as many as 17 points in the second half and led by ten with 4:15 to go, but an 11-2 run by the Griffons cut the lead to one with 45 seconds remaining off a three pointer by TJ Evans. From there the Griffons couldn’t get the points they needed to jump ahead and William Jewell went 5-6 from the free throw line over the final 33 seconds to stretch the lead back to six.

Missouri Western was plagued by cold shooting in the first half, going 12-31 from the field after getting off to a hot start. Meanwhile, William Jewell was red-hot, shooting 67 percent from the field and three-point range in the first half. The Griffon defense forced 12 William Jewell turnovers in the second half and held the Cardinals to 37 percent shooting from the field in the final 20 minutes. Still, William Jewell shot 54 percent from the field for the game compared to 40 percent for Missouri Western.

Joe Hamilton led Missouri Western with 22 points, including 6-8 shooting from behind the arc. TJ Evans added 20 points and four rebounds. Cole Clearman scored 13 of his 15 points in the second half and added six assists and four rebounds. Beau Baker paced the Griffons on the glass, pulling down five boards as Missouri Western was out-rebounded 41-27 in the game.

The loss dropped the Griffons to 0-3. Missouri Western next plays Monday, Nov. 21 when the team hosts Lake Superior State in the MWSU Fieldhouse.

— MWSU Athletics —