Hall of Fame
Missouri Western’s first NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball team went 24-7 and won the MIAA Regular Season and Tournament Titles in their inaugural year in the league and advanced to the second round of the NCAA South Central Regional in their first tournament appearance.
In head coach Tom Smith’s second year at Western, the Griffons defeated Central Missouri 66-63 to win the first of four MIAA tournament championships in school history. Western advanced to the South Central Regional, defeating West Texas State 73-71 before falling to Southeast Missouri State 88-73 in the second round.
Current Hall of Fame members Mike Cornelius and Mark Bradley were instrumental to the teams’ success as Cornelius was named a third team All-American and Bradley earned All-MIAA Honors. Western’s all-time leader in three-point field goals made, Heath Dudley also was a member of the team. Dudley is also the Griffons all-time leader in games played and is fifth in free throws attempted, fourth in free throw percentage and sixth in career scoring.
