Missouri Western Men Snap Slide, Graceland Men Keep Postseason Position (CBB Roundup)
The Graceland Men’s Basketball team stayed in good postseason qualification position as they eased past Mount Mercy 59-54 at the Morden Center at Graceland University Wednesday evening. Graceland had the lead, at least narrowly, through most of the first half, but the game was tied 27-27 at halftime. Graceland also led narrowly most of the second half, but the Mustangs challenged late. Mount Mercy pulled within a point 2 different times in the last 3 minutes, had the ball down by a point twice in the last 2 minutes. Both of those possessions ended with turnovers. Graceland got a big layup from Trent Daughtry off a timeout with 23 seconds remaining. Another Mount Mercy turnover with six seconds left put the game away for Graceland. Graceland is 9-8 in the Heart of America Conference. Graceland is 14-9 overall. Graceland will play at Park University Saturday at 4pm.
The Graceland Women’s Basketball team stayed within range most of their game with Mount Mercy Wednesday evening, but could not quite take over the lead in the fourth quarter and Mount Mercy defeated Graceland 74-67 at the Morden Center. Graceland was within three points to start the fourth quarter 52-49, but Mount Mercy extended the lead to 10 points in the first 2:33 of the period. They extended again to 66-55 with about 5 minutes to play, but Graceland pulled back to get within three points with :50 remaining. Graceland missed a couple free throws and Mount Mercy had enough in the final seconds to beat Graceland. Graceland had 18 points from Kailey Boden. Four scored in double figures for Graceland. Graceland will visit Park University on Saturday. Tipoff will be at 2pm.
The Missouri Western men rallied from a 10-point deficit with just 4 minutes remaining in regulation to tie the game and then went on to beat Washburn in overtime Wednesday evening to snap a six-game losing streak. Missouri Western defeated Washburn 81-80 at the Missouri Western Fieldhouse. Washburn led most of the first half, but Missouri Western made a move midway through the first half and closed to a tie with 4 minutes remaining. The actually took a lead at halftime 34-30. Washburn then made the first big move of the second half and went on a run over a 6-minute stretch to lead 63-53 with 3:47 remaining. Missouri Western countered with a layup from Will Eames, a 3-point shot from Julius Dixon, and a layup from JaRon Thames. Missouri Western tied the game with two Taye Fields free throws with 48 seconds remaining. Both teams missed shots in the final four seconds of regulation. Missouri Western took the lead in overtime with another JaRon Thames jumper with just 11 seconds remaining. Washburn missed a shot at the buzzer. Missouri Western had 21 points from JaRon Thames. Julius Dixon scored 19 points. Will Eames had 12 points and 8 rebounds. Missouri Western will face Emporia State Saturday afternoon in St Joseph.
The Missouri Western Women’s Basketball team bounced back from a lopsided loss against Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday and defeated Washburn at Missouri Western Wednesday evening 67-47 and won their 19th game of the season. Missouri Western turned a narrow first quarter deficit into a 6-point lead at halftime by holding the Lady Ichabods to just 4 points in the second quarter. Missouri Western generally kept or extended lead from 8 to 13 points throughout the third quarter, and Washburn never really threatened in the fourth period. Brionna Budgetts had 29 points to pace Missouri Connie Clarke had a 17-point 16-rebound night for the Lady Griffons as they went to 13-3 in the MIAA. The Missouri Western Women are now a half-game behind Nebraska-Kearney and 2 full games behind Central Missouri in the conference.
