ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -  The Missouri Western men returned from an eight-day holiday hiatus to defeat Friends University 78-50 in an exhibition game Wednesday inside the MWSU Fieldhouse. 

Forward JaRon Thames led the Griffons with 17 points on 7-8 shooting. Justin Bubak added 16 points off the bench, sinking four his five three-point attempts.  

"We wanted to tune-it up," said Head Coach Will Martin.  "It was important to come back from break in a game like this where you can play 16 guys and work off the rust a bit."

It's all conference games from here on out. The Griffons (8-5, 4-1 MIAA) host Pittsburg State on New Year's Day at 7:00 pm.