Story by Tommy Rezac
Stjosephpost.com
WICHITA, KS. -Â Josh Book played 29 minutes off the bench in Thursday's game at Newman. He had played 30 total minutes in the previous five games combined.
Book, a redshirt freshman, earned every minute, as he led Missouri Western (16-11, 10-11 MIAA) with a game-high and career-high 26 points in an 86-68 win at Newman in Wichita Thursday.
The win snaps what was a five-game losing streak for Western, as the Griffons earned their first MIAA road win since January 6 at Northeastern State.
Missouri Western shot 54.1% (33-of-61) and saw five players finish in double figures. Book scored his 26 on 8-of-12 shooting, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. He also had six assists and four rebounds.
JaRon Thames was also on with 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting. He also had three steals, five assists and boards. Julius Dixon scored 14 on a 4-of-9 performance from long range.
Taye Fields logged his sixth double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds. He also had six assists. Kiani Saxon contributed 10 points and eight boards.
Missouri Western doled out 23 assists while only turning the ball over eight times. The Griffons also converted on 13-of-16 free throw attempts.
The Griffons led by 10, 41-31, at halftime and the lead only steadily ballooned from there down the stretch. Western held Newman (7-19, 4-17 MIAA) to just 3-of-17 shooting from long range.
The Griffons outrebounded the Jets 36-27 as well.
Both Missouri Western teams end the regular season at Pittsburg State on Saturday. The women tip at 1:30, the men at 3:30. Both games are on KFEQ Radio (680, 95.3, 680kfeq.com, KFEQ app).
