Missouri Western boxscore in PDF

Normandy, Mo. - The Maryville men's basketball team was aiming for its third straight victory but a late jumper misfired as Missouri Western held on for a 69-67 win in the first game of the Marriott Airport Classic hosted by the University of Missouri-St. Louis. The Saints play again Saturday as they face East Central in another 5:15 p.m. start.
 
Karson King scored the first point of the game on a free throw, and Forrester Sims scored for a quick 3-0 lead. After a Missouri Western basket, Grant Sims and King scored consecutive layups for a 7-2 lead. Leading 7-4, Grant Sims sank a 3-pointer and Jeff Leeson scored inside for a 12-4 edge. Anthony Johnson sank consecutive jumpers for a 16-4 lead. The Saints were still leading 19-8 before the Griffons tallied 12 straight points to leap ahead. The teams traded the lead, and Grant Sims' 3-pointer handed the Saints a 25-24 lead. However, MWSC scored the last four points to grab a 28-25 lead at the break.
 
Maryville was down 35-27 before King hit two more free throws. The Saints still had a deficit of 39-33 but used a 9-1 run to crawl back into the contest. Grant Sims scored on a layup, and after one Missouri Wester free throw, Damyan Stoyanov answered with two at the line. Grant Sims scored on a layup, and his triple pushed the Saints back up 42-40 at the 12:33 mark. With the score deadlocked at 45-all, Johnson's 3-pointer was good for a 48-45 lead. King scored inside for a 50-47 edge with 8:50 to play before the Griffons took the lead back. Forrester Sims forged another tie at 52-52 with a pair at the stripe. Missouri Western built up a 63-57 until a deep three by King cut the lead in half. The Saints were down 69-64 until Jeff Leeson trimmed the deficit to two with 43 seconds to play. The Maryville defense held and Evan Booker grabbed the defensive board to give the Saints a chance to force overtime or win it in regulation. However, a late jumper misfired as the Griffons escaped with the win.
 
Grant Sims finished with 19 points and six assists to pace the Maryville attack. King added 12 points, while Johnson chipped in 10 points. The Saints (2-5) shot 51.1 percent from the field.