ST. JOSEPH – The Griffon men's basketball team (1-1) rebounded from an overtime loss on Friday, with a convincing wire-to-wire win over Upper Iowa (3-2) on Sunday afternoon.
 
Missouri Western shot 48 percent from the field in the 77-65 victory and never allowed Upper Iowa to even tie the game. It gave the Griffons a win over a team that qualified for the NCAA Tournament last season.
 
WIRE TO WIRE
Missouri Western opened the game on an 11-2 run and never led by less than two points. The Griffons answered every Peacock run. After Upper Iowa went on a 12-5 run in the first half to pull within two, MWSU answered with a 16-5 run to take its largest lead of the game, 13 points, with 5:12 left in the first half.
 
MAKING THEIR SHOTS
Missouri Western shot better than 48 percent (27-56) from the field, while holding Upper Iowa to 38.5 percent shooting. The Griffons shot 45.5 percent (10-22) from three-point range and 72 percent (13-18) at the free throw line. Lavon Hightower was 7-of-10 from the field for 18 points. Cole Clearman was 6-for-8 from three and led the team with 20 points. Seth Bonifas had his second straight double-digit scoring effort, going 4-for-6 for 10 points. Alex Martin went 5-for-6 from the field to score 15 points.
 
UP NEXT
Missouri Western stays at home, hosting a non-conference doubleheader with the Griffon women this Wednesday, Nov. 15 against William Jewell (2-0). The women's game begins at 5:30 p.m. with the men's game tipping off at around 7:30 p.m.