KEARNEY, Neb. — Despite a last-second, game-tying three by Zion Swader, No. 22-ranked Griffon Men's Basketball fell to the Nebraska Kearney Lopers 93-90 on Thursday night after Damiri Lindo nailed a buzzer-beating three from halfcourt.
The Griffons (7-0, 2-1 MIAA) had four players score in double figures at the Health & Sports Center, led by Julius Dixon, who had a double-double with career-highs of 28 points and 11 rebounds. Zion Swader tacked on a career-high 27 points and four assists, and Taye Fields chipped in as well with 16 points, nine rebounds and a season-high three blocks.
The Missouri Western State offense was very productive from downtown, knocking down 13 threes on 32 attempts. Dixon was the most prolific shooter for the Griffons, draining a career-high six treys in the contest.
Missouri Western did a great job disrupting Nebraska Kearney's shots in the contest, coming away with a season-high six blocks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After falling behind 23-15, MWSU went on an 8-0 run with 9:48 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from JaRon Thames, to tie the game at 23-23. Kearney (4-3, 2-1 MIAA) then pulled ahead, sending the Griffons into halftime down 42-40.
Kearney kept widening its lead after intermission, constructing a 48-42 advantage Western went on a 5-0 run, finished off by Swader's three, to shrink the deficit to 48-47 with 17:37 to go in the contest. The Lopers responded and outscored the Griffons the rest of the way, ending the game with a final score of 93-90 after a hectic final six seconds.
Western shot well from three-point range in the half, hitting eight shots from deep to score 24 of its 50 points.
GAME NOTES
- This is Dixon's first double-double as a Griffon.
- The Griffons lost on a last-second shot by Lindo.
- The Griffons shot well from 3-point range, knocking down 13 of 32 long-range attempts.
- Dixon, Swader and Fields combined to account for 79% of the Griffons' points.
- The Griffons were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, tallying six blocks as a team.
- Western turned the ball over six times while dishing out 12 assists.
- The Griffons cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 11 offensive boards in the game.
- Entering the night, Western was one of two undefeated teams left in the MIAA.
UP NEXT
The Griffons take on Fort Hays State (6-2, 2-1 MIAA) this Saturday at 4 p.m. at Gross Memorial Coliseum in Hays, Kansas. The Tigers defeated No. 17-ranked Northwest Missouri State 57-49 in Hays.
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