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Griffons rally on the road to defeat UNK 83-79

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KEARNEY, Neb. – After a Nebraska-Kearney three pointer cut the Griffons’ lead to just one point with 13 seconds remaining, Lavon Hightower nailed both free throws following a Loper foul to extend the lead to three. UNK missed the potential game-tying three on the ensuing possession, giving Missouri Western (9-11, 3-6 MIAA) a 83-79 road victory over Nebraska-Kearney (6-13, 1-9 MIAA) on Saturday.

NOTABLES

  • The Griffons held the lead for all but three minutes of a tightly-contested first half, taking a 39-35 lead into halftime.
  • Lavon Hightower was lights out for the Griffons in the first half, making all four of his shot attempts with three triples to lead the Griffons with 14 points.
  • Nebraska Kearney’s Kanon Koster gave the Lopers their largest lead of the game at 64-59 with 8:46 remaining in the game.
  • The Griffons then used a 20-9 run to take a nine-point lead with just three minutes to play.
  • After missing the free throw, the Lopers snatched the offensive rebound before passing it out to Koster who made the three pointer to bring the Lopers within one point with 13 seconds remaining.
  • Hightower sank both free throws after the Nebraska Kearney foul on the next Griffon possession.
  • Nebraska Kearney’s game-tying attempt was no good as Bryan Hudson pulled down the rebound to seal the win for the Griffons.
  • The Griffons finished with just five turnovers, their best mark this season.
  • Saturday’s win snaps a four-game losing streak for Missouri Western

LEADERS

  • Hightower stuffed the stat sheet and notched his sixth double-double of the season in the win. Hightower finished with 27 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists and shot 73 percent from the field.
  • Tyrell Carroll scored 17 points and also had four assists.
  • JJ Jones continues to improve for the Griffons in increased minutes. Jones’ 14 points and 26 minutes are both career-highs.
  • Hudson also added 14 points.
  • Nebraska Kearney’s Kanon Koster led all players in scoring, finishing with 31 points.

UP NEXT

  • Missouri Western returns to the MWSU Fieldhouse to host Missouri Southern (16-4, 7-3 MIAA) on Jan. 31.
  • The Lions edged Emporia State 80-77 on Saturday.

— MWSU Athletics —

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