Griffins succumb to MacMurray in nail-biter

Jacksonville, Ill. - Fontbonne University basketball couldn't contain the MacMurray College Highlanders in a back and forth nail-biter. The 75-70 loss puts the Griffins at 2-9 in conference and 2-16 overall. MacMurray is now 3-8 in the SLIAC and 3-14 overall.

Kris McCann scored 16 points for a Griffin-high while Tyler Schwartz netted 13 points and Rio Justice Chandler 11 points. Chandler's three-pointer with 24 seconds left cut the Highlanders lead to five but the Griffins couldn't overcome the deficit before time ran out. Jack Lake almost notched a double-double securing nine rebounds and nine points. Lake's offensive rebound and subsequent jumper in the paint didn't sit well with MacMurray head coach Todd Creal. Creal slammed his hand on the ground twice, incurring a technical foul with 1:20 to play before the half. 

The Griffins tied the game twice in the second half but could never take the lead. Sixteen of MacMurray's points came at the foul line while 11 of Fontbonne's did. The Griffins outshot the hosts in the field overall but shot only 33.3% from the arc. Fontbonne was also out-rebounded 49-30.

The Griffins are on the road Saturday for a 3 p.m. tipoff at Blackburn College.