ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Led by a season-high 60.9% shooting effort from 3-point distance, No. 25 Griffon Men's Basketball took down the Newman Jets 97-58 at home Thursday night at the MWSU Fieldhouse.

The Griffons (13-3, 7-3 MIAA) had four players score in double figures, led by Julius Dixon, who had 22 points and six rebounds. JaRon Thames tacked on 18 points, four assists and two steals, and Zion Swader helped out with 15 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals.

Missouri Western did an excellent job taking care of the basketball, dishing out a season-high 27 assists while turning the ball over only 12 times. Individually, Taye Fields was on top of the distribution list for the Griffons with a career-high eight assists, marking the third time he's done so this season.

The Griffon defense was effective at taking away the basketball in Thursday's game, forcing 17 Newman turnovers. Those takeaways turned into 31 points on the other end of the floor. Reese Glover led the way individually for the Griffons with a season-high four steals.

HOW IT HAPPENED
After jumping out to a 22-15 advantage, Western went on an 11-0 run with 7:47 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Jaron Thames, to increase its lead to 33-15. The Griffons then added four points to that lead by the end of the period and entered halftime with a 44-22 advantage. Western relied on its 3-point shooting in the period, knocking down seven shots to account for 21 of its 44 points.

Following intermission, MWSU kept widening that lead, expanding it to 62-34 before going on an 11-0 run to grow the lead to 73-34 with 10:43 to go in the contest. The Griffons held onto that lead for the rest of the game for the 97-58 win. Western capitalized on eight Newman turnovers in the period, collecting 17 points off those turnovers.

• The Griffons were incredible from long range, knocking down 14-of-23 3-point attempts.
• The Griffons held the Jets to only 39.6% from the field.
• Western never trailed on the way to a 97-58 victory.
• The Griffons shared the ball well, recording an assist on 75% of made baskets.
• The Griffons turned 17 turnovers into 31 points on the offensive end.
• Western shot 60 percent from the floor. 
• The Griffs had a 37-24 edge on the boards in the win.
• Dixon led the Griffons with a game-high 22 points.
• Western got a game-high nine rebounds Fields.

UP NEXT
This Saturday, MWSU will play Central Oklahoma (14-5, 6-5 MIAA) at 3:30 p.m. inside the MWSU Fieldhouse in St. Joseph. The Brocnhos fell to No. 24 Northwest Missouri State 71-56 on Thursday night in Maryville, Missouri, notching their second straight loss.