ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The 22nd-ranked Missouri Western men's basketball team defeated a top-5 team for the first time since 2011 on Saturday as they knocked off No. 5 Washburn, 74-67, inside the MWSU Fieldhouse.  The Griffons have won four straight games as they improve to 8-1 and are now tied for first place in the MIAA with the Ichabods.

After a back-and-forth first half which saw four lead changes and five ties, Missouri Western used a 7-0 run to take a 38-29 advantage and they led 40-32 at the break.

The Griffons struggled early after halftime as they made just 2-of-16 shots to start the half.  Washburn scored the first five points and took their first lead of the second half 51-49 with 10:15 left.  That would be the Ichabods final lead of the game.

MWSU went on a 16-1 run over the next 7:30 minutes that was highlighted by five straight points from Tyrell Carroll after coming back in the game with four fouls.  And the run was capped off with Reese Glover and Will Eames making back-to-back three-point field goals after Washburn went to a zone defense.

The Ichabods made it interesting late as they scored eight straight points to pull within five but Missouri made 9-of-10 free throws in the final minute and half, including 8-of-8 from Q Mays.

Mays scored a career-high 17 points to lead the Griffons.  Reese Glover scored 15, Carroll added 13 points and 5 assists, and Will Eames recorded his fifth double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

Washburn is second in the MIAA in field goal percentage and three-point field goal percentage, and MWSU held the Ichabods to 29.7% (19-64) from the field and 19.4% (6-31) from three.  The Griffs finished the game 33.9% (20-59) and 31.8% (7-22) from the three-point line.  Western turned the ball over just eight times and they forced 15 Washburn turnovers that turned into 16 points.

Missouri Western's last win against a top-5 team came on December 7, 2011 against No. 1 Missouri Southern inside the MWSU Fieldhouse.

The No. 22 Griffons, who have won 17 of their last 18 home games, are on the road for their next two games.  They play at Nebraska-Kearney Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and then at Fort Hays State Saturday at 1:30 p.m.  Both games will be on the Griffon Sports Network and MIAA Network.