KEARNEY, Ne. - In a game that saw 21 lead changes, the Missouri Western men's basketball team got a much needed boost from a true freshman to put the Griffons over the hump. 

Taye Fields scored a career-high and game-high 29 points on 13-17 shooting and pulled down 10 rebounds to help the Griffons survive for a 76-74 win over the Lopers in the regular-season finale. JaQuaylon Mays added 17 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists and Will Eames added 11 points and 7 boards for the Griffons.

"Taye Fields," said head coach Will Martin. "I don't even have the words to describe how impressive that young man has been for us. We put the ball in his hands in big moments and he responded like a senior instead of a freshman. He's going to be a special player in this league for a long time."

The Lopers (11-17, 7-15 MIAA) took early control, opening the game on a 14-5 run, but the Griffons battled back to take the lead in the first half before going to the break trailing 40-39. But UNK had no answer for Fields. The freshman 19 second-half points to give Western control. Fields gave the Griffons the lead for good at the 5:03 mark and Western would hang on from there.

Western commited just 7 turnovers and only 1 in the second half.

"That was the difference maker in the game for sure," Martin said. "I'm extremely proud of our concerted effort to share the ball and limit turnovers. 14 assists to 7 turnovers is the 2:1 ratio that we strive for."

The Griffons finish the regular season with a 14-16 record, and a 10-12 mark in The MIAA. The victory clinches at least a #8 seed in next week's conference posteason tournament in Kansas City. Official pairing will be released on Sunday.