THIS WEEK IN GRIFFONS MEN'S BASKETBALL
Thursday, Feb. 7, 7:30 p.m. at Lincoln (15-5, 8-3 MIAA)
Saturday, Feb. 9, 3:30 p.m. at Lindenwood (11-12, 4-7 MIAA)
 
ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western Men's Basketball (10-12, 4-7 MIAA) will look to build off of a thrilling 95-87 victory over Pittsburg State last week, as the Griffons head east for two MIAA games against Lincoln and Lindenwood.
 

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

• Missouri Western will look to get out to a better start in its rematch with Lincoln. The Griffons outscored Lincoln by nine in the second half, but it was not enough to overcome a 20-point halftime deficit.
• Lavon Hightower has continued to carry the load offensively for the Griffons. The senior is averaging 27.5 points on 60 percent shooting over his last four games.
• With four conference wins, Missouri Western could surpass last year's conference win total with a victory this week.
• Saturday's game will be the MIAA meeting between Missouri Western and Lindenwood, as Lindenwood serves its last academic year as a member of the conference.

 
MISSOURI WESTERN NOTES

• Hightower is averaging over 35 minutes per game, second in the MIAA.
• The Griffons have won four of their last five road games.
• Bryan Hudson, the Griffons' most efficient scorer, is averaging 14 points per game with a field goal percentage of 52 percent and a three point percentage of 45 percent.
• Missouri Western attempts 27 three's per game, second-most in the MIAA.

 
SCOUTING LINCOLN

• Lincoln shoots an efficient 43 percent from beyond the three-point line.
• Terrance Smith leads the Blue Tigers in scoring at over 16 points per game.
• Amariontez Ivory is the team's main perimeter threat, scoring 3.3 three's per game at nearly 50 percent shooting.
• John Moseley is serving in his fourth season as head coach at Lincoln. Mosely has secured his fourth-straight winning season while also serving as the university's director of athletics.

 
SCOUTING LINDENWOOD

• Lindenwood guard Brad Newman has been as productive offensively as anyone in the MIAA in recent games, averaging 29 points per game over his last five.
• The Lions are scoring 77 points per game.
• Adam Pohlman averages nearly five assists per game for the Lions.
• The Lions are shooting 46 percent from the field as a team this season.