ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Missouri Western fell in a close game on Saturday to the Tigers of Fort Hays State in a rematch of last year's NCAA Central Region Championship, 64-58, on Saturday inside the MWSU Fieldhouse. 

The Griffons (7-4, 2-2 MIAA) were led by Cleao Murray's game-high 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting. Connie Clarke added 13 points and six rebounds. 

The first quarter saw both teams trade blows in a defensive slugfest, with neither team getting off the mark for the first 2:15 of the quarter. Back-to-back 3-pointers from Megan Earney gave Fort Hays (7-3, 2-1 MIAA) a four-point lead going into the first break.

Missouri Western started the second quarter on a quick 6-0 run to retake the lead. The Griffons maintained a slight advantage for the majority of the quarter before Sydney Golladay hit a three to give FHSU a two-point lead at the halftime break with the score sitting at 27-25.

The Griffons came out firing on all cylinders in the second half, going on a 10-0 run to start the third quarter and taking an eight-point lead. Fort Hays responded with its own quick 6-0 run to cut the Griffon lead back down to one, eventually taking a slim two-point lead into the fourth quarter, 43-41.

Fort Hays extended its lead to eight with six minutes remaining in the contest, but Murray wouldn't let the Griffons go away, scoring 10 points in the quarter to keep Missouri Western within striking distance. The rally fell short, and the Tigers beat the Griffons, 64-58. 

NOTABLES

• Murray's 17 is a new-career high for the true freshman.
• Alyssa Bonilla led the Griffons in rebounding for the first time all year with seven.
• Missouri Western outscored the Tigers in bench points, 26-22.

NEXT UP
Missouri Western heads to Topeka, Kansas, to take on the Ichabods of Washburn (4-4, 1-2 MIAA) on Saturday, Dec. 17. The Ichabods beat Rogers State, 55-45, last time they took the floor. Tipoff is slated for 1 p.m. at Lee Arena.