Mells Runner Lifts Western Over UCO
By: Matthew Tritten
Updated: January 4, 2013
(EDMOND, Ok.) Missouri Western head men's basketball coach Tom Smith said before Thursday night's game that the Griffons needed to find a player to step up late in games.
Sophomore Reed Mells decided to be that player.
Mells hit a runner in the lane with eight seconds to play putting Missouri Western (5-6, 1-2 MIAA) ahead of Central Oklahoma 78-77 for the Griffs first conference win of the season.
The Griffons were down by 14 points at halftime, but fought back with a 13-2 run to start the second half to claw back within three points of the Bronchos.
There were five lead changes in the final four minutes before Western could hang on for the win.
Missouri Western shot 45.6-percent from the field in the contest, including a 15-29 performance in the second half.
Alfreeman Flowers led the Griffs with 17 points and five assists, Adarius Fullton scored 14 points. Mells finished with six in the win.
Western remains on the road Saturday with an evening contest against Missouri Southern.
