KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- With leading scorer JaQuaylon Mays out of the lineup due to a family emergency, Missouri Western was forced to make some adjustments, but the Griffons found the right combination late to hold on for a 69-59 win at Rockhurst on Tuesday night. A pair of unexpected starters stepped up as Reese Glover dropped a game-high 21 points on the Hawks and Reed Kemp added 11.

Missouri Western led through most of a low-scoring first half, as both teams struggled to find the shooting touch. Both teams had nine field goal makes and shot around 33 percent (MWSU 33.3%, RU 34.6%) but Rockhurst connected on two extra three-point attempts to take a 25-24 lead into the break.

The Griffons offense hit its stride in the second half, opening with a 26-9 run over the first 10:33. Glover started to get hot during the run, connecting on three of his four chances from distance.

Rockhurst managed to close to within two possessions down the stretch, but Missouri Western picked up a big defensive stop in the final minute, as Alex John swiped the ball from Spencer Moes after the Hawks grabbed a rebound on his three-point miss. JaRon Thames drew a foul and knocked down both ends of the one-and-one.

After another miss, the Hawks were forced to foul. Kemp icily swished both to put Missouri Western up eight, then added another pair of makes with 11 seconds to play to put the game to rest.

Missouri Western finished the night shooting 42.1 percent (24-57) after a 15-30 second-half performance. The Griffons also tightened up on the ball, giving up just two turnovers in the second half after 11 in the first. MWSU held the Hawks to 41.8 percent (23-55) shooting on the night, and forced five Rockhurst turnovers in the second stanza.

The Griffons return to the MWSU Fieldhouse for one final non-conference tuneup, hosting William Jewell on Saturday night. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.