St. Joseph, Mo. – The Missouri Southern men's basketball team trailed by as many as ten at points of the first half, but the Lions clawed back and made three-of-four clutch free throws down the stretch to claim a huge 71-68 road win tonight at Missouri Western.
 
The Lions (14-12, 11-9 MIAA) were led by Avery Taggart with 25 points, going 9-of-14 from the field and 5-of-9 from long-range. Stan Scott had 18 points, while RJ Smith and 11 points and 11 rebounds. Winston Dessesow scored ten points.
 
Western (13-15, 9-11 MIAA) was led by Caleb Bennett with 17 points, while Will Eames had 14.
 
The Griffons jumped out to a 9-2 lead, four minutes into the game and led 21-11 after a three from Eames with 13:09 left in the first half. The lead was ten (25-15) with 10:40 left before the Lions went on a 9-0 run to get within one (25-24) after a three from Taggart with 7:50 on the clock.
 
The Griffons led by as many as six down the stretch in the first half, but five-straight points from Scott got the Lions within one with two to go, before a late bucket from Western made the score 39-36, MWSU at the break.
 
Southern tied the game at 42, 44, 48 and 50, before going on a 7-0 run to lead 55-50 after a layup from Scott with 11:31 left in the second half.
 
Western responded with a 10-0 run of its own to lead 60-55 after a pair of freebies from Justin Bubak with eight minutes left. The Griffons led 66-58 with four minutes to go before a three from Taggart got the Lions within five (66-61).
 
A pair of freebies from Smith and another three from Taggart, this one with two minutes to go tied the score at 66. A layup from Scott put the Lions up 68-66 before the Griffons tied it at 68 with a minute to go.
 
The Lions had the ball with 45 seconds to go and Ndongo Ndaw came down with a huge offensive rebound while getting fouled sending the big man to the line with 30 seconds left. Ndaw made one-of-two free throws to put the Lions up 69-68 and after a Lions' defensive stop, Smith was fouled after coming down with the rebound. He went on to make both free throws, putting the Lions up 71-68 with seven seconds left and that proved to be final tally.
 
Southern shot 43 percent from the field, 41 percent from long-range and 75 percent from the free throw line. The Lions out rebounded Western 38-34 and despite leading for just 3:41 in the game, came away with the big road win.
 
The Lions will be back in action this week when Southern travels to Washburn on Thursday night. Tip off from Lee Arena is set for 7:30 pm.