The Missouri Western men’s basketball team scored 52 second half points and made 38-of-50 free throws coming away with an 89-84 victory over the Southwest Baptist Bearcats. Charlie Marquardt scored a career high 23 points making 11-of-15 free throws and 6-of-7 field goals helping the Griffons improve to 8-9 overall and 3-6 in MIAA play.
In an entertaining first half the Griffon men went into the half down 39-37. The Bearcats led for most of the frame with their largest lead being 37-29 with 2:51 to play in the half. The Griffons responded nicely tying the score at 37 before a David Gabrovsek layup gave SBU the lead after one frame.
The Griffons outrebounded the Bearcats 29-15 with 12 being on the offensive end. MWSU scored 18 points in the paint to SBU’s 10. The Griffons shot 35.5-percent (11-31) from the floor and just 2-of-10 from long range. They did make 13-of-18 free throws. Charlie Marquardt led the charge with 13 points on 4-of-5 shooting.
The Bearcats made eight long range shots in the opening frame with Derrick Stewart scoring 14 points making 4-of-5 three pointers.
The Griffons came out of the half and battled scoring 15 points in the first seven minutes claiming their first lead at 52-51 since the 15:37 mark of the first half when they led 6-5. The Griffons continued to play hard building their lead to eight at 70-62 after a three point play by Cortrez Colbert with 7:15 to play.
The Bearcats continued to play hard cutting the Griffons lead to two after a Desi Barmore layup with 5:35 to play. The Griffons stayed calm pushing their lead to nine with 3:04 to play and then hung on down the stretch for the victory.
The Griffons shot 47.1-percent (24-51) from the field and outrebounded the Bearcats 44-30 with 13 coming on the offensive end of the floor. The Griffons had 38 points in the paint and 14 assists. Ryan Devers, Cortrez Colbert, Kalvin Balque and Dareon Jones finished with 19, 16, 10 and 10 points respectively while Hans Thun collected a game high nine rebounds.
The Bearcats fall to 8-9 on the season and 1-7 in MIAA play. They were led by Barmore with 27 point on 9-of-16 shooting while Stewart finished with 17 points. Menas Stephens and Preston Guiot had 11 and 10 points respectively. The Bearcats shot 46.9-percent (30-64) from the field.
The Griffons return to action next Saturday, January 25 when they travel to Joplin, Mo. to take on the Missouri Southern Lions. Game time is set for 3:00 pm.
— MWSU Sports Information —