ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Missouri Western men's basketball team returned to the MWSU Fieldhouse Sunday for the first time in nearly a month, but the Griffons lost to Central Oklahoma, 101-96.  It's the fifth straight loss for MWSU and their first at home this season as they drop to 8-6.
 
Missouri Western, who came into the game as the worst three-point shooting team in the MIAA, made a season-high 17 three-point field goals Sunday, which is the second most in school history.  But UCO shot 60.3% (38-63) from the field to become the first team to do that since November 24, 2018 when Maryville shot over 60 percent.  The Bronchos also outrebounded MWSU 36-31 and outscored the Griffons in the paint, 50-10.
 
Both teams were extremely efficient offensively in the first half as Missouri Western made its first seven three-pointers to build a seven-point lead, 25-18, but UCO kept pace as they made seven of their first 10 shots to stay in the game.  The Griffons lead was just 50-48 at halftime.  The Griffs went 10-of-18 from behind the arc in the first half and Central Oklahoma finished the first half at 60 percent (21-of-35) from the field.
 
Missouri Western built an early 56-50 lead in the second half, but UCO scored nine straight points and went on a 19-5 to take the lead for good.  The Griffons pulled to within two points, 78-76, with just over six minutes remaining, but the Bronchos went on a 10-1 run over the next minute and half to put the game away.

It's the first time since the 2017-2018 season that MWSU has lost five straight games.
 
The Griffons finished the game 42.6% (26-61) from the field, 45.9% (17-37) from the three-point line and 84.4% (27-32) from the free throw line.
 
Caleb Bennett scored a career-high 28 points and had a career-high five assists for Missouri Western.  Reese Glover added a season-high 21 points on 7-of-12 three-point shooting, while Tyrell Carroll had 19 points and six assists.  Will Eames recorded his sixth double-double of the season with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

NOTES
Tyrell Carroll moved into seventh place on the MWSU all-time scoring list as he passed Randy Dickerson with 1180 career points.  Reese Glover moved into sixth in Missouri Western history in career three-pointers made with 116, as he broke a tie with Lamont Thomas.
 
UP NEXT
The Griffons will have one day off before returning to the MWSU Fieldhouse Tuesday for a rematch with No. 3 Northwest Missouri State at 7:00 p.m.  The game will air on the Griffon Sports Network (680 AM/95.3 FM) and the MIAA Network.