HAYS, Kan. – The Missouri Western men's basketball team got back in the win column Tuesday as they won at Fort Hays State, 78-73. It's the first win for the Griffons in Hays since the 2008-09 season as they improve to 12-9. The Tigers drop to 11-10.
MWSU came into the game tied with Fort Hays and Lincoln for fourth place in the MIAA, and the top four teams will host a MIAA quarterfinal game next Wednesday. The Griffons are now all alone in fourth place for the time being for that final spot to host a game next week.
After falling behind early to FHSU, 9-6, Missouri Western scored eight straight points and went on an 11-2 run to take the lead and they never relinquished it in the first half. MWSU led by as many as nine in the first 20 minutes and led 39-36 at the break.
Fort Hays State regained the lead early in the second half as they scored the first four quarter to cap off a 10-0 run, but Missouri Western responded with seven straight points to take a 46-40 lead and they never trailed again.
MWSU led by as many as seven points in the second half and the Tigers pulled to within one possession four times over the final ten minutes, but the Griffons continued to hold off Fort Hays. FHSU pulled to within one point, 74-73, with 38 seconds left but Missouri Western got two free throws from
Tyrell Carroll, a blocked shot in the lane by
Caleb Bennett and two more free throws from
Reese Glover to seal the win.
Carroll had a big night to lead the Griffons with 25 points, seven assists, five rebounds and four steals. Bennet added 17 points and eight rebounds, while
Q Mays scored 15 points off the bench.
The Griffons shot 45.0% (27-60) from the field and 22.2% (4-18) from the three-point line. Last Thursday, MWSU went just 14-of-29 from the free throw line at Washburn, but Tuesday they shot 90.0% (20-22) from the foul line.
UP NEXT
Missouri Western will close out the regular season on Saturday as they host Nebraska-Kearney at 3:30 p.m. inside the MWSU Fieldhouse for Senior Day. The game will air on the Griffon Sports Network (680 AM/95.3 FM) and the MIAA Network.
