BOLIVAR, Mo – Missouri Western (12-15, 6-10 MIAA) set the tone right out of the opening tip of Thursday's 85-71 victory at Southwest Baptist (12-13, 6-10 MIAA). The Griffons gained their first lead two minutes into the game before vaulting out to an 18-point lead in the first half and led throughout the remainder of the game.

 
NOTABLES

• Missouri Western dominated both ends of the floor early in the game, using a 28-8 run to take a game-high 18-point lead in the first half.
• The Bearcats trimmed that deficit to 33-17 at the halftime break. The Griffons held Southwest Baptist to just 33 percent shooting in the half while forcing 11 turnovers.
• Tyrell Carroll led the charge offensively in the first half with 13 points and a pair of assists.
• Southwest Baptist used a 10-3 run to pull within nine points in the opening minutes of the second half.
• The Griffons settled in following the Southwest Baptist run, making five of their next eight shots to build the lead to 14.
• Southwest Baptist never managed to cut the deficit to double digits for the remainder of the game.
• Both teams' offenses played better in the second half, as the teams combined for 106 points in the second half compared to just 50 points before halftime.
• Missouri Western took advantage of its trips to the free-throw line. The Griffons shot 86 percent (18-of-21) from the stripe, their best percentage with at least 10 makes this season.
• The Griffons hopes of making the MIAA Championships remain alive after Thursday's road victory. Missouri Western has now moved into a four-way tie for ninth.
• After earning its sixth road win, Missouri Western has now won its most road games in a season since the program won nine in 2001-02.

 
LEADERS

• Carroll finished with a team-high 19 points, five assists, and three steals.
• JJ Jones set a new career-high with 16 points. Jones missed just one shot all night, going 8-of-9 while also grabbing seven rebounds.
• Lavon Hightower scored 18 points to go along with his team-high nine rebounds.
• Bryan Hudson added 17 points.

 
UP NEXT

• Missouri Western Men's Basketball will travel to Central Missouri (13-12, 6-10 MIAA)
• The Mules topped the Griffons on a buzzer-beating three-point in last week's meeting.