ST. JOSEPH – No. 1-ranked Northwest Missouri State (27-1, 17-1) won its 19^th consecutive game and handed Griffon Men's Basketball (16-13, 12-6) its first home loss of the season, 92-69, Tuesday night in the MWSU Fieldhouse.
 
The two teams were trading baskets early in front of an MWSU Fieldhouse-record crowd of 4,256 fans. Missouri Western's last lead came with 13 minutes remaining in the first half. The Griffons were up by three before Northwest went on an 18-6 run to build a nine-point lead. The MIAA champions then got hot and led by as many as 20 before taking a 44-26 lead to halftime. It didn't get much better for the Griffons in the second half when Northwest shot 69.6% from the field, building its largest lead of 31 points with 4:15 left.  
 
NOTABLES

• It was the first loss in the MWSU Fieldhouse for the Griffons this season. MWSU will take an 11-1 home record into the regular season finale this Saturday against Washburn.
• Already without starter Will Eames due to an injury, Tyrell Carroll picked up two quick fouls and played just 9:23 in the first half
• Northwest went 6 of 9 from 3-point range in the first half and went 8 for 9 at the foul line before halftime
• In the game, the Bearcats took 22 free throws and made 20 of them, while the Griffons went 8 for 10 on the night at the line
• MWSU went 7 of 29 from 3-point range with five of those makes coming in the second half
• Missouri Western scored 43 of its 69 points in the second half
• Beau Baker scored 10 first-half points on 5 of 8 shooting, but was held scoreless in the second half
• Reese Glover led MWSU with 18 points on 7 of 12 shooting, 4 of 8 from long range
• Carroll ended up with 14 points, 12 in the second half to go with a team-high seven rebounds and four assists
• The Griffons blocked five Bearcat shots on the night, two by Baker

 
UP NEXT
The Griffons end the regular season on Saturday, Feb. 29 against Washburn at 3:30 p.m.