Swader 2023 Bethel
AJ Robbins
Missouri Western's 5-0 start at home is its best since 2020.
61
Mo. Southern St. MSSU 2-6,0-2 Mid-America Intercollegiate
62
Winner Missouri Western MW 7-0,2-0 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Mo. Southern St. MSSU
2-6,0-2 Mid-America Intercollegiate
61
Final
62
Missouri Western MW
7-0,2-0 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Mo. Southern St. MSSU 33 28 61
Missouri Western MW 26 36 62

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | MWSU Media Relations

Swader's buzzer-beater seals Griffon MBB's first 7-0 start since 1999

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — For the first time since 1999, Griffon Men's Basketball is 7-0.

With Missouri Western State down by two, Zion Swader knocked down a buzzer-beating 3-pointer with just one second left in the game to nail down a 62-61 victory over Missouri Southern on Saturday night at the MWSU Fieldhouse.

The Griffons (7-0, 2-0 MIAA) had two players score in double figures, led by Swader, who had 14 points and three steals. JaRon Thames added 12 points and six rebounds, and Taye Fields added nine points, nine rebounds and two steals.

Justin Bubak pulled down three offensive rebounds to lead the MWSU offense, which grabbed 13 boards and turned them into seven second-chance points.

The Griffons forced 16 Missouri Southern State (2-6, 0-2 MIAA) turnovers while committing 11 themselves in Saturday's game. Missouri Western turned those takeaways into five points on the other end of the floor. Swader's three steals led the way for MWSU.

HOW IT HAPPENED
After falling behind 3-2, MWSU went on a 5-0 run with 17:07 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from J.C. Anthony, to take a 7-3 lead. The Griffons then surrendered that lead and entered halftime down 33-26.

Western narrowed its deficit to 51-45 before going on a 5-0 run to shrink the deficit to 51-50 with 7:16 to go in the contest. The Griffons kept the rally going and took the lead for good on Swader's three-pointer with one second left for a 62-61 comeback victory. 

GAME NOTES

  • Western got out on the break in the period, scoring 16 fast break points.
  • The Griffs rallied from a seven-point 33-26 halftime deficit to pick up the win.
  • Western held the Lions to only 38% shooting from the field.
  • The Griffons had a 43-39 edge on the boards in the win.
  • The MWSU defense forced 16 turnovers.
  • The Griffons were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, tallying five blocks as a team.
  • Western cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 13 offensive boards in the game.
  • Swader led the Griffons with a game-high 14 points.
  • The Griffs got a game-high nine rebounds from Fields.

UP NEXT
Western will take on Nebraska Kearney (3-3, 1-1 MIAA) this Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the Health & Sports Center in Kearney, Nebraska. The Lopers defeated Northeastern State 85-82 on Saturday in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. 

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