ST. JOSEPH – Griffon basketball (5-18) fell to Missouri Southern (17-8) 81-70. The Lions led wire-to-wire in the win.
 
Missouri Western found itself in a back and forth battle in the first half. MSSU hit a three-pointer with four seconds left in the half to take a seven point lead. The Lions pushed their lead to 14 points after a hot start to the second half. Lavon Hightower and Bryan Hudson combined for 13 points and powered the Griffons to a 15-5 rally to cut the lead to four points with 11 minutes to go in the game.
 
After Missouri Southern scored five unanswered points, Hightower took off for seven of Missouri Western's 11 points over a four minute stretch. The run allowed the Griffons to make it a one possession game with 5:38 left in the game. However, the Lions pulled away late to win the game.
 
NOTABLES

• Lavon Hightower and Missouri Southern's CJ Carr scored a game-high 24 points
• Bryan Hudson had 12 points, it is third consecutive game in double-digits
• Missouri Western was 51.6 percent from the field in the second half
• The Lions shot 20 free throws in the game, 10 more than the Griffons
• The two teams combined for 24 assists in the game
• MSSU's Kinzer Lambert had a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds

 
UP NEXT
Missouri Western plays its final home game on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 4 p.m. against Pittsburg State. The Griffons will recognize their five seniors prior to tip-off.