Box Score Kearney, Neb. – The Missouri Western State Griffons shot 56 percent from the field and took advantage of 17 turnovers to beat Nebraska-Kearney, 80-63, Saturday evening in St. Joseph.

This is was the only meeting between the two this year. MWSU (7-12, 3-7) has now won three of its last five games while the Lopers (12-6, 5-4) drop a second straight.

MWSU shot 52 percent in the first half to lead 37-30 at the break. Five of their makes were from downtown; they hit three more in the second half to finish 8 of 13. On Thursday, Northwest Missouri State went 14 of 26 from long distance.

A Loper three from Minnesota sophomore Isaiah McKay cut the Griffon lead to eight, 45-37, with 16:49 remaining. That would be as close as UNK would get as Mo West made 18 of its 30 shots in the second half.

"We just didn't play very well at all. We battled a little bit in the first half but in the second half we just came out flat," said UNK head coach Kevin Lofton. "We have to get back home and try and regroup."

UNK's 17 turnovers, one off a season-high total, led to 21 Griffon points. Mo West also had a big advantage in points in the paint, 42-18.

Individually, four starters were in double figures for the Griffons, led by TJ Evans (21) and Seth Bonifas (18). Both grabbed seven rebounds with Evans having five of his team's eight steals.

The Lopers saw Iowa junior forward Trey Lansman go for 21 points thanks to 6 of 15 (2 of 5 threes) shooting. In 36 minutes, he also had eight rebounds (all defensive) and three blocks. Finally, York junior guard Ty Danielson had 14 points, six boards (five defensive) and three steals.

Next weekend, Lindenwood and Lincoln come to the Heath & Sports Center.