KANSAS CITY, Missouri - The No. 1-ranked Northwest Missouri State Bearcat men's basketball team advanced to the semifinals of the 2020 MIAA Tournament with a 75-54 triumph over the Lincoln Blue Tigers at Municipal Auditorium.
Northwest extended its win streak to 21 straight games and moved to 29-1 on the season. Lincoln completes its season at 11-19 overall.
Senior Ryan Hawkins led the way with a game-high 33 points. Hawkins tallied 21 first-half points and added 14 in the second half. Hawkins went 11-of-17 from the field, including 4-of-7 from three-point range. Hawkins sank all five of his free throw attempts. Hawkins was credited with a game-high nine rebounds.
Sophomores Trevor Hudgins and Diego Bernard joined Hawkins in double-figure scoring. Hudgins posted 14 points and was 4-of-6 from three-point range. Bernard was 6-of-8 from the field and dished out a game-high five assists.
The Bearcats used a 29-8 run in the second half to open up a 70-41 lead over the Blue Tigers.
Northwest shot 50.0% in the opening half and then blistered the nets for 66.7% in the second half. Lincoln was limited with 43.6% shooting for the game.
The Bearcats will play in the semifinals on Saturday at 6 p.m. against the winner of the Washburn-Missouri Western contest that takes place on Friday.
NOTES: Northwest won for the 37th straight time on a neutral floor ... Northwest has won 15 consecutive games at Municipal Auditorium ... head coach Ben McCollum moved to 9-0 in MIAA quarterfinal games ... McCollum is 19-4 in MIAA tourney contests ... Northwest is 44-25 all-time in MIAA Tournament games ... Northwest moved its four-year record to 129-6 ... over the past two seasons, Northwest is 67-1 ... Northwest shot 50 percent or better from the field for the 20th time in 30 games this season ... it's the 16th victory this season by 20 or more points for the Bearcats ... Northwest has won 103 consecutive games when the margin is 20 or more.
--- Northwest Athletics ---