PITTSBURG, Kansas – The No. 1-ranked Northwest Missouri State University men’s basketball team remained perfect on the season with an 84-69 triumph over the Pittsburg State University Gorillas Saturday at John Lance Arena.
The Bearcats moved to 5-0 overall and ran their win streak to 28 in a row behind a pair of 20-point scoring performances from Ryan Hawkins and Trevor Hudgins. Hawkins recorded his 29th career 20-point game, while Hudgins notched his 40th career 20-point scoring contest.
Hawkins scored 18 of his team-high 24 points in the first half. Hawkins added a team-best eight rebounds and four steals. Hudgins notched 21 points and dished out six assists.
Junior Diego Bernard continued his stat stuffing with 14 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and three blocks.
Sophomore Wes Dreamer reached double-figure scoring with 11 points, including a trio of three-pointers.
Saturday’s matchup featured four ties and one lead change. Northwest led by as many as 19 points in the victory.
Northwest returns home for a matchup against No. 5 Washburn on Thursday at Bearcat Arena. Tip is set for approximately 7:30 p.m. following the women’s contest.
NOTES: Northwest has won 25 consecutive MIAA contests … Northwest is 104-8 in its last 112 MIAA games … the Bearcats have compiled a record of 136-6 over the last five years … Northwest has posted a spectacular mark of 74-1 over the past three seasons … Northwest has gone 41-4 over the last four-plus seasons on the road in the MIAA … Northwest has won 10 straight road contests … only two teams remain undefeated in MIAA play with Washburn at 7-0 and Northwest at 5-0 … Hawkins added four steals to move his career mark to 180 … Northwest holds a 69-63 lead in the all-time series vs. Pittsburg State … Northwest has won 11 consecutive matchups … the Bearcats have won five straight contests against the Gorillas in Pittsburg.
