Western Wins Smith's Final Home Game
By: Matthew Tritten
Updated: March 3, 2013
(ST. JOSEPH, Mo.) In Tom Smith's final game coaching in front of the home crowd at the Missouri Western Fieldhouse, the Griffons sent him out in style.
Missouri Western (10-16, 6-12 MIAA) beat Southwest Baptist 72-58 Saturday afternoon.
An emotional day for the Griffons that included Senior Day festivities, nearly 25 of Smith's former players coming on to the court at halftime, was capped with the coach addressing the Missouri Western fans after the win.
"Thank you for letting me be your coach for 25 years," Smith said to those in the stands donning the black and gold.
It was his final game on the Missouri Western campus, but not the last of his career.
The Griffons play at Northwest Missouri State Monday at 7pm in the first round of the MIAA Tournament.
Missouri Western had the tournament's 12 seed locked up prior to Saturday's game, but that didn't stop them from coming out of the gates strong against Southwest Baptist.
The Bearcats were trailing the Griffons 33-19 at halftime and were able to get within 5 points of Western in the second half, but that's as close as they would get.
Cedric Clinkscales led Missouri Western with 21 points and 10 rebounds, and was a big reason why they were able to score 40 points in the paint to just 26 from Southwest Baptist.
Kalvin Balque added 17 points on 7-9 shooting, his second best output of the season.
