The Missouri Western men fell 92-60 on Military Appreciation Day against rival Northwest Missouri State. The Griffons had two players in double figures as Kalvin Balque dumped in 19 points and Ryan Devers finished with 18. The Griffons fall to 10-15 overall and 5-12 in MIAA play.
The Griffons men played fairly well in the first half shooting 52.2-percent (12-23) from the field unfortunately the Bearcats were able to shoot better making 62.1-percent (18-29) from the field taking a 14 point lead at 47-33 at the half.
The Bearcats opened the frame on outscoring the Griffons 19-6 in the first seven minutes after Zach Schneider drained a long range shot. The Griffons hung in there cutting the lead to eight numerous times the next 10 minutes. Trailing 35-27 with 3:45 to play in the half the Bearcats went on a 12-6 run claiming the 14 point halftime lead.
The Griffons had seven players score in the half with Devers leading the way with eight points while Balque dumped in seven with three boards. The Bearcats were led by DeShaun Cooper with 17 first half points while Dillon Starzel had 15 making all six of his shot attempts.
In the second half the Bearcats opened up an 18 point lead in the first four minutes of the frame when Bryston Williams hit a laypu with 16:15 to play. The Griffons responded nicely going on a 9-2 run cutting the Bearcat lead to 55-44 with 13:58 to play after a Devers jumper.
From there it was all Bearcats as they hit five threes in the next three minutes extenging their lead to 74-48 with 10:08 to play after Schneider nailed a three. The rest of the game belonged to the Bearcats improving to 20-6 overall and 15-2 in MIAA play.
The Griffons made 44.0-percent (22-50) of their field goals but just 13-of-23 free throws and 3-of-12 field goals.
The Bearcats shot 56.5-percent (35-62) with four players scoring in double figures. Cooper finished with 22 points while Starzl, Schneider and Grant Cozad finished with 19, 12 and 11 respectively.
The Griffons will play their last home game of the season on Wednesday, February 26 with a game against Central Missouri. Game time is set for 7:30 pm in the fieldhouse. The Griffons will honor two seniors as they play their last home game for the Griffons. They are Kalvin Balque and Cedric Clinkscales.
— MWSU Sports Information —