BOLIVAR, Mo. – Missouri Western's best chance at avoiding a four-game losing streak fell short at the buzzer in a 79-76 loss at Southwest Baptist. Trey Sampson missed a three-pointer at the buzzer that would have tied the game and given the Griffons a chance in overtime.
 
Sampson's miss capped a comeback effort by Missouri Western that gave the Griffons a chance after trailing by as many as 14 points in the game and 11 in the second half. Missouri Western trailed by five with 24 seconds left in the game, but three pointers from Currie Byrd and Cole Clearman brought Missouri Western within one with nine seconds left. Nate Nahirny made two free throws to stretch SBU's lead to three and to set up Sampson's three to tie.
 
Sampson led Missouri Western with 17 points and four assists. Currie Byrd added 11 points and five rebounds and Kevin Thomas finished with 10 points and eight rebounds. The Griffons lost the rebound battle 4-30 and were outscored in the paint, 30-20. The Griffons shot 50 percent from the field and from three-point range in the second half, overcoming 27 percent shooting in the first half and 10 percent from the three-point line before the break.
 
The loss was Missouri Western's fourth straight and dropped the team to 2-6 on the year and 0-2 in MIAA play. The team returns home this week to host Pittsburg State on Thursday and Missouri Southern on Saturday.