ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western men's basketball team couldn't completely close the gap in the final minutes of a 77-68 loss to Upper Iowa to close out the Hillyard Tip-Off Classic, Sunday afternoon.
 
The Griffons pulled within one at 67-66 off a three by Beau Baker with 2:16 left, but let Upper Iowa stretch the lead again. Missouri Western led by one at the half, but much like the night before against Wayne State, Missouri Western let the visitor build an early second half lead. Upper Iowa took a seven-point lead with 15:58 to go in the second half that extended to a 10-point lead with 13:03 to go.
 
Missouri Western finished the game 35 percent from the field and 34 percent from three-point range. The Griffons were out-rebounded by Upper Iowa 44-31 and outscored in the paint, 22-8 in the second half.
 
Cole Clearman led the team again with 22 points. He also had a team-high seven rebounds along with Seth Bonifas who chipped in 12 points. Joe Hamilton added 11 points and had a team-high four points.
 
Missouri Western is now 0-2 headed into a game Tuesday night at William Jewell.