MARYVILLE, Mo.-Matt Withers'' career-high tying 16 points led five Northwest players in double figures, but it was Missouri Southern that walked away with an 81-77 win Wednesday night at Bearcat Arena. It''s the first time in nearly two years the Bearcats have lost two in a row on their home court.
The Lions (10-4, 4-1 MIAA) got a game-high 17 points from freshman Skyler Bowlin, including four 3-pointers in the game''s final 10 minutes, to remain atop the MIAA standings. Missouri Southern is tied with Southwest Baptist at 4-1.
Seven of 10 MIAA teams are 2-3 in league play including the Bearcats (10-4, 2-3). Central Missouri is all alone in third place at 3-2.
Northwest lost for the first time in 23 games when scoring 70 points or more. The Lions also became the first team in 29 tries to overcome a halftime deficit against the Bearcats. Northwest led 37-36 at the break.
Mike Larsen earned his third career start and responded by tying his season-high of 12 points for Northwest. Eddie Gray scored 14 points. Mose Howard and Lance Sullivan finished with 11 each.
The game featured seven ties and 15 lead changes. Neither team led by more than six points until the closing minutes. In the end it was Bowlin that was the difference.
Bowlin hit three 3-pointers in a row, sparking a 14-5 run that put the Lions in front 65-59 with seven minutes remaining.
Howard broke Missouri Southern''s full-court press and hit a streaking Larsen for two on the other end. Withers sunk a pair of free throws and Gray drilled a 3 to give Northwest the lead, 66-65, with six minutes left.
The Bearcats scored three points in the game''s next five minutes and it ultimately sealed their doom.
Vincent Ateba was fouled and made two free throws for Missouri Southern. Tyler Ryerson made his only basket of the game on the Lions'' next possession. Bowlin''s fifth 3 of the game moments later was the dagger, giving Missouri Southern a six-point lead with two minutes remaining.
Bowlin, the league''s leader in steals entering the contest, was 5 of 9 from 3-point range and 6 of 10 for the game.
The Lions made 8 of 12 free throws in the final minutes.
Ateba finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds for Missouri Southern. Octavius Hawkins also had 16 for the Lions. Hunter Henry didn''t reach double figures, but had a team-high 10 boards for Northwest.
Next Up: Northwest will play five of its next seven games on the road, starting at No. 16 Pittsburg State at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in Pittsburg, Kan. CSTV will perform a free, live broadcast of the game online at www.cstv.com/ncaa/divii.
