Griffons lose another heartbreaker to Central Missouri 69-66

WARRENSBURG, Mo. – One week after suffering defeat at the hands of a Central Missouri buzzer-beater, the Missouri Western men’s basketball team (12-16, 6-11 MIAA) fell in heartbreaking fashion again to the Mules. After rallying from a 13-point second-half deficit, the Griffons held a seven-point lead with under four minutes remaining. Central Missouri would then hold the Griffons to just one made basket in the final three minutes en route to a 12-2 run to win 69-66 on Saturday.

NOTABLES

Missouri Western’s offense struggled throughout most of the first half, shooting just 29 percent from the floor.
Bryan Hudson helped keep the Griffons within reach in the first half, scoring 15 of the team’s 25 first-half points.
Central Missouri closed the first half on a 20-9 run to take a 36-25 into the halftime break.
The Griffons stepped up the defense in the second half as the Mules made just three of their first 10 shots in the second half.
Missouri Western slowly chipped away at the Central Missouri lead, taking their first lead of the second half on Hudson’s layup with 13 minutes to play.
After the Mules regained control with a one-point lead, the Griffons used a 10-2 run to take the 64-57 advantage with 3:19 remaining.
Central Missouri made their final three field goal attempts and went four-of-five from the free-throw line.
Tyrell Carroll’s potential game-tying three-point attempt was no good, giving Central Missouri the 69-66 comeback win.
Missouri Western’s five starters accounted for all of the team’s 66 points scored.
Missouri Western outscored Central Missouri 41-33 in the second half.
The Griffons set a new season-best mark with just three turnovers on Saturday, improving from their previous-best of just five against Lincoln on Feb. 7.

LEADERS

Hudson led all scorers with 26 points on 60 percent shooting.
Carroll finished with 17 points while tying a career-high with eight rebounds.
Tyus Millhollin added 11 points with three triples.

UP NEXT

With just two games remaining, Missouri Western Men’s Basketball will travel to top-ranked Northwest Missouri (27-0, 17-0 MIAA) on Feb. 26.

— MWSU Athletics —