MARYVILLE, Missouri – The No. 4-ranked Northwest Missouri State University Bearcat men’s basketball team soared to a 110-66 victory over the visiting Central Methodist University Eagles.
Northwest (9-1 overall) had six players reach double-figure scoring led by junior Ryan Hawkins with a game-high 32 points. Hawkins was 13-of-15 from the floor and scored 28 of his 32 points in the opening half. Hawkins also added five steals, four rebounds and three assists.
The Bearcats shot a sizzling 66.7% from the field by draining 42-of-63 field goals. Northwest sank 53.6% of its three-point shots (15-of-28). The Bearcats forced 23 turnovers, which resulted in 16 steals for the home squad.
Central Methodist (3-10 overall) shot 46.2% from the field (24-of-52). The Eagles made 34.8% of their three-point attempts (8-of-23). The rebounding battle was tied at 24-24.
CMU came out gunning and made 62.5% of its first-half shots (15-of-24), but Northwest was even more effective shooting 65.5% in the opening 20 minutes by draining 21-of-32 field goals. Hawkins was 11-of-12 at the half and had sank all five of his three-point field goals. Northwest led 58-37 at the break.
The Bearcats blew the game wide open with a 21-0 scoring run in the second half to turn a 70-49 lead into a 91-49 bulge with 11:31 to play.
Northwest will take on Truman State Friday at 6 p.m. in Bearcat Arena.
NOTES: Trevor Hudgins notched his second double-double of the season with 11 points and 13 assists … Hudgins committed only one turnover in 30 minutes of action … Tyler Dougherty was a perfect 6-of-6 from the field and scored 13 points … Diego Bernard stuffed his stat sheet with 14 points, six assists, four steals and two rebounds … Daric Laing added 14 points and Luke Waters chipped in 12 points off the bench … eight Bearcats scored in the game and only Jaran Richman did not record a point … Northwest recorded its 21st straight win at Bearcat Arena … Northwest improved to 113-9 in Bearcat Arena since the start of the 2011-12 season … Northwest moves to 6-0 all-time vs. Central Methodist.
