Despite falling 100-97 in their regular season finale against the Southwest Baptist Bearcats the Missouri Western men’s basketball team will make the MIAA Tournament as the 12th seed by virtue of Pittsburg State’s overtime loss against Washburn.
The Griffons end the regular season 10-17 overall and 5-14 in MIAA play. MWSU will travel to Edmond, Okla. to take on the Central Oklahoma Bronchos on Tuesday, March 4th at 7 pm.
Despite getting 40 points from Ryan Devers the Missouri Western men would come up short against Southwest Baptist. The Griffons have not had a Griffon score 40 points in at least 13 seasons. The record for points scored in a game is 49 which was done by Pete McNeal on March 1, 1982 against Avila.
The Griffons came out in the first half playing the Bearcats to a 7-7 tie. The next eight minutes belonged SBU opening up a 14 point lead at 34-20 after a Stephens Menas long range shot with 8:49 to play in the first half. The Griffons responded nicely ending the half on a 25-12 run cutting the lead to 46-45 at the half.
The Griffons continued to play well opening the second half on a 10-6 run claiming a three point lead at 55-52 after two free throws by Cortrez Colbert. At the 14:09 mark the Griffons claimed their largest lead of the game at 63-58 when Hans Thun nailed a three.
The Griffons held their five point lead til the 9:33 mark at 79-74 after a Devers layup. The next couple minutes belonged to the Bearcats using a 9-0 run claiming an 83-79 lead after a Preston Guiot three with 6:51 to play. Southwest Baptist led the rest of the way as the Griffons could not get any closer than one down the stretch.
The Bearcats improve to 14-14 overall 7-12 in MIAA play. SBU will be the 10th seed and will travel to Emporia to take on the 7th seed Emporia State Hornets. Southwest Baptist made 34-of-62 field goals and 11-of-25 long range attempts. Desi Barmore finished with 32 points on 14-of-20 shooting while Rashaad Brown-Peterson scored 23. Guiot finished with 20 points on 5-of-9 shooting from long range.
The Griffons made 32-of-70 field goals including 9-of-32 long range shots. The also made 24-of-30 free throws and out rebounded the Bearcats 44 to 31. Devers made 13-of-24 field goals and 5-of-11 long range shots. He also made all nine of his free throws. Cortrez Colbert and Kalvin Balque had 19 and 18 points respectively.
— MWSU Sports Information —