ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - Missouri Western men's basketball got off to a 20-8 start in the first nine minutes and never looked back in an 82-61 win over Augustana on Sunday in the Hillyard Tipoff Classic at the MWSU Fieldhouse.

Missouri Western (3-1) led 44-30 at halftime and led by as many as 26 points late in the second half. The Griffons, who have now won three straight, shot 52.6% from the field (30-of-57), including an 11-of-30 effort (36.7%) from three. The Griffs were also a reliable 11-of-14 at the free throw line.

What's more, the Griffons dominated on the glass 37-19, including 12-3 on the offensive glass. Those 12 o-boards led to 21 second chance points for the Black and Gold.

Zane Nelson led all scorers with 21 points on 9-of-14 shooting. He also had seven rebounds and four assists. Julius Dixon logged his first career double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Ethan Kilgore logged a new collegiate career-high with 14 points off the bench on a sharp 6-of-8 shooting performance. Zion Swader added 10 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals.

"Really proud of our guys," coach Will Martin said. "We shared the ball. I thought our guys really locked in. Multiple guys in double figures. We have a very unselfish team, and we just have to remain consistent with that."

Tanner Te Slaa led Augustana (1-1) with 12 points. Kelton Coleman had 11.

Missouri Western is on the road this Saturday to continue non-conference play at Maryville University in St. Louis. Tip-off in that game is set for 5 p.m.