BearcatSports.com
The No. 1-ranked Northwest Missouri State University men's basketball team knocked off the rust from a 26-day layoff and posted a 74-55 victory over the Northeastern State University RiverHawks at the NSU Events Center on New Year's Eve.
The Bearcats extended their overall win streak to 27 in a row thanks in large part to a 42-15 lead at the half.
Northwest jumped all over NSU early and used a 29-4 run to turn a 10-8 advantage into a 39-12 lead. The Bearcats shot 53.6% from the floor in the opening half, while limiting the RiverHawks to 26.3% in the opening 20 minutes. Northwest drained eight three-pointers in the first half compared to only five made field goals by NSU.
Northwest's Ryan Hawkins tallied his 21st career double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds. Trevor Hudgins chipped in with 14 points and eight assists. Luke Waters was the only other Bearcat to reach double figure scoring with 11 points as he drained a team-best three three-pointers. Diego Bernard registered eight points, seven rebounds and six assists.
The Bearcats led by as many as 29 in the contest, only to see the RiverHawks trim the lead to 17 on two occasions in the second half. NSU outscored Northwest in the second half, 40-32.
Northwest will travel to Pittsburg State Saturday for a 3:30 p.m. matchup with the Gorillas. The Northwest women will tip at 1:30 p.m. at John Lance Arena prior to the men's contest.