ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- Caleb Bennett and JaQuaylon Mays led a half-dozen Griffons in double figures with 17 points each as Missouri Western picked up a 93-87 win over Northeastern State on Saturday. MWSU forced 16 RiverHawk turnovers on the night and added seven blocks.

Missouri Western came out firing on all cylinders, holding Northeastern State scoreless for the first 3:15 and running out to a 16-3 lead over the opening five minutes. The run was punctuated by a pair of Alex John dunks that put the Griffons up 10-0 with less than three minutes gone.

The Griffons easily held Northeastern State at arm's length through the opening 20 minutes, shooting at a 56.8 perent (21-37) clip and taking a 51-41 lead into the locker room.

Back-to-back threes by Will Eames and Reese Glover in response to a jumper from NSU's Emeka Obukwelu jumpstarted a 17-4 Missouri Western run that saw the Griffons open up a 23 point margin within the first four minutes of the second half.

After firing at a 61.1 percent (11-18) pace over the first 10 minutes of the second half, the Griffons struggled to find the mark down the stretch. Unlike earlier in the season, however, Missouri Western was able to hold off the late charge, with Mays knocking down one of two free throws in the final two seconds to seal the six-point win.

Missouri Western finished the night shooting 50.7 percent (35-69) from the floor and 41.4 percent (12-29) from distance, but were outshot by the Riverhawks who shot 31-56 (55.4%) for the game. The Griffons were able to make the most of a six-turnover edge, scoring 23 points off 16 turnovers while allowing NSU just 10 points from 10 turnovers.

The Griffons head to Jefferson City on Thursday to take on Lincoln. Tipoff against the Blue Tigers is set for 7:30 p.m.