Box Score ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Missouri Western Men's Basketball team came out on top of a back and forth battle with Rockhurst to win their first game of the 2014-15 season.
The Griffons traded the lead with Rockhurst 11 times. The game was tied four times. Missouri Western did lead for 11 more minutes than the Hawks including at the final buzzer, 66-60. Neither team broke the 40 percent barrier from the field and were even in second chance points and bench points. The Griffons took advantage down low, doubling Rockhurst up in the paint, 36-18. The Griffons shot just 37.3 percent from the field and 22.2 percent from three point range.
Aaron Emmanuel led the team with 13 points. Freshman
Currie Byrd added 12 and
Ryan Devers chipped in 11.
Cortrez Colbert led the team with nine rebounds. The Griffons got big contributions from this year's freshman class. In addition to Byrd's performance,
Seth Bonifas scored five points and added three rebounds. Cole Celarman scored seven points and had three big steals.
The Griffons face William Jewell tomorrow night in their second game of the Hillyard Tip-Off Classic. The Cardinals lost tonight to Northwest Missouri State, 91-85. Tomorrow's classic begins with a youth clinic at 10 a.m. Rockhurst will take on Northwest Missouri State at 5 p.m. with the Missouri Western, William Jewell game scheduled to tip around 7 p.m.
