Missouri Western held off a strong second-half effort by Illinois-Springfield to win 61-50 Saturday night at MWSU Fieldhouse. The Griffons improve to 4-2 on the season and begin MIAA play this coming week.

The Griffons jumped out to an 8-2 lead in the first half after Adarius Fulton knocked down a 3-pointer. Illinois-Springfield crept back into the game and took a slim, one-point lead at the 9:18 minute mark in the first half.

Illinois-Springfield’s Jamall Millison hit a three to take a 16-15 lead, but the Griffons led from there. Fulton finished the first half with seven points and Cedric Clinkscales put in six with four rebounds to give the Griffons a 35-29 lead at the break.

The men took their biggest lead of the game at 16 after Alfreeman Flowers hit two free throws to make it 54-38 with 7:55 to play in the game.  The game became closer as it continued, however, and Illinois-Springfield pulled it to 55-50 with just less than three minutes to play. The Griffons used a 6-0 run down the stretch coming away with the 11 point victory.

Alex Tuluka-Mfumupembe finished with 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting as the Griffons made 23-of-56 field goals and 5-of-16 three point shots.

The Prairie Stars finished shooting 38.9-percent (21-54) from the field and making just 3-of-18 long range shots. Dylan Sparkman, Kevin Pettiford and Jamall Millison all had eight points for UIS. They fall to 2-5 with the defeat.

The Griffons return to action on Wednesday, December 5 when they host the Truman State Bulldogs in the MIAA opener. Tip time is set for 7:30 pm.

— MWSU Sports Information —