ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Missouri Western men's basketball team couldn't claw its way all the way back in the second half of a 57-51 loss at the University of Missouri-St. Louis on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Griffons used an 11-4 run to pull within 30-28 at halftime. Missouri Western tied the game several times early in the second half, but never regained the lead. A Boris Rajovic tip-in with 2:43 left pulled Missouri Western within three at 54-51, but UMSL scored the game's final seven points to hand the Griffons another close loss.
 
Missouri Western shot 43 percent from the field but just 30.8 percent from three point range. Cole Clearman again led the Griffons, scoring 16 points. Clearman added four rebounds and four assists. Rajovic had 10 points and a team-high six rebounds.
 
The loss dropped the Griffons to 1-5. Missouri Western's next game will be its MIAA opener at Northeastern State on Nov. 30.