The Missouri Western men’s basketball team struggled on the road in a 92-64 loss at rival Northwest Missouri State. The Griffons were led by Cortrez Colbert and Kalvin Balque with 18 and 15 points respectively. The Griffons fall to 9-12 on the season and 4-9 in MIAA play.

Western is now 0-8 on the road this season and 0-7 away from home in the MIAA.

The Griffons did not score the final 2:28 of the first half going into the locker room down 45-28. Missouri Western stayed close with the Bearcats for the first six minutes being down just 13-9 after a Kalvin Balque layup. The rest of the half belonged to the Bearcats scoring from insdie and outside.

Western made 40.9-percent (9-22) of their field goals and connected on 7-of-10 free throw attempts. The Bearcats shot even better connecting on 50-percent (14-28) field goals and 6-of-14 long range shots. They also made 11-of-14 free throws.

The Griffons were led by Balque and Ryan Devers with seven points apiece while the Bearcats were led by Dillon Starzl with 12 points. The Bearcats did outrebound Missouri Western 18-11 and had nine assists to MWSU’s two.

The Griffon struggles continued in the second half as the Bearcats cruised to the victory. Northwest improves to 17-5 overall and 12-1 in MIAA play.

Missouri Western shot 38.9-percent (21-54) from the field and 36.8-percent (7-19) from long range. The Griffons also made 15-of-21 three throws. Devers was the only other Griffon to score in double figures with 10.

The Bearcats made 56.6-percent (30-56) of their field goals and 44-percent (11-25) from long range. They also shot free throws well making 21-of-27 attempts. They had five players score in double figures with DeShaun Cooper dumping in 23.

The Griffon return to action on Saturday, February 8 when they travel to St. Charles, Mo. to take on the Lindenwood Lions. Game time is set for 3:00 pm.

— MWSU Sports Information —