ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western (8-9, 2-4 MIAA) fell to Emporia State (7-7, 2-3 MIAA) 85-79 in the MWSU Fieldhouse on Sunday afternoon. The Griffons struggled offensively down the stretch in the second half, as the Hornets outscored the Griffons 21-9 over the final seven minutes of the game.

NOTABLES

• Emporia State was lights out from the opening tip, jumping out to a 16-point lead in the first nine minutes.
• The Griffons began to chip away at the deficit halfway through the first half, using a 20-9 run to trail by just one point at halftime.
• Tyrell Carroll kept the Griffons in the game in the first half. Carroll had 17 points on 64 percent shooting going into halftime.
• Alex Martin’s layup with just under nine minutes to play gave the Griffons their largest lead of the second half at 68-58.
• The Hornets regained the lead on a three pointer with 4:26 remaining.
• Tyus Millhollin hit Bryan Hudson on a layup to bring the Griffons within just two at 78-76 with under 90 seconds left.
• On the next possession, Emporia State’s Aaron McGee pulled down a crucial offensive rebound and converted the layup to stretch the lead back to four.
• The Hornets had a significant edge on the boards, outrebounding the Griffons 44-26.
• The Griffons shot 48 percent from the field in the loss.

LEADERS

• Hudson set a new career-high with 28 points. Hudson had an efficient game, shooting 86 percent from the field and making all four of his three-point attempts.
• Tyrell Carroll finished with 20 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
• Lavon Hightower added 16 points.

UP NEXT

• The Griffons will host unbeaten No. 2 Northwest Missouri on Jan. 19.

— MWSU Athletics —