Griffons come up short at Washburn 93-90 in season finale

TOPEKA, Kan. – Just four days after nearly upsetting the top-ranked team in the nation at Northwest Missouri, Missouri Western (12-18, 6-13 MIAA) had a chance in the final minute to tie the second place team in the MIAA at Washburn (22-6, 15-4 MIAA). The Griffons’ potential game-tying three was no good as Washburn survived the 93-90 scare on Saturday.

NOTABLES

Washburn had the advantage out of the opening tip, jumping out to a 13-point lead with nine minutes to play in the first half.
The Missouri Western offense then began to find its rhythm, making eight of its next 11 shots and all seven free-throw attempts on a 26-9 run to take a 39-35 lead in the first half.
Washburn’s three-pointer in the final seconds of the first half gave the Ichabods a 46-43 edge at the halftime break.
Tyus Millhollin’s 15 points and four triples led all scorers at the half.
Washburn stretched its lead to a game-high 18 points on a Javion Blake three-pointer while the Ichabods held the Griffons to just two field goals in the first seven minutes of the second half.
Lavon Hightower scored eight-straight points for the Griffons to pull Missouri Western within reach at 88-85 with less than two minutes to play.
After Washburn increased its lead to six in the final minute, Tyrell Carroll converted the and-one layup to make it 93-90 with 27 seconds remaining.
Missouri Western then fouled Washburn’s Tyler Geiman, who missed both free throws, giving the Griffons a chance to tie the game.
The Griffons went to Hightower for the game-tying attempt in the final seconds, but the senior’s three was off as Washburn held on for the win.
Hightower and Carroll combined for 19 of the team’s final 21 points.
Missouri Western’s 12 wins this season is more than each of the last two seasons.
Hightower set a new Missouri Western single-season record with 231 total rebounds (7.7 per game) this season.
Hightower’s 562 points this season is the third-most in the last 20 seasons at Missouri Western.

LEADERS

Hightower stuffed the stat sheet in his final game as a Griffon, finishing with 22 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists.
Tyrell Carroll posted a team-high 23 points to go along with nine boards and four assists.
Millhollin added 20 points and five-made three’s
Senior Bryan Hudson finished with 16 points.

— MWSU Athletics —