Box Score

MARYVILLE, Mo. – After struggling at the free throw line in each of their first two games the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats shot over 80 percent as they took a 64-54 win over Rockhurst Friday night in the opening game of the Hillyard Classic on the campus of Missouri Western.

Northwest, who improved to 3-0 on the year, got an outstanding effort at the free throw line as they finished 19 of 23 as a team in the win. The Hawks fell to 0-1 in their first game of the season, but the night belonged to the Bearcats led by a 27 point effort from DeShaun Cooper.

Cooper led Northwest converting on 11 of 12 from the charity stripe including knocking down a pair of free throws in the last minute to ice the game for the Bearcats.

The Bearcats also took care of the basketball only turning the ball over 10 times on the night while forcing 18.

Northwest and Rockhurst would go back and forth with the lead in the first half as both teams shot over 50 percent from the field. DeAngelo Hailey would put Northwest ahead for good knocking down a three-pointer with 3:54 left before the half. Hailey poured in a season high 15 points.

The Bearcats would eventually push their lead to double digits as Hailey knocked down his second three pointer of the half giving Northwest a 39-27 half time lead. Hailey would finish 3 of 5 from behind the three point arc on the night.

Rockhurst would make one last push in the second half pulling within seven at the 4:39 mark. However, Bryston Williams would knock down a pair of free throws and Cooper would add a free throw as well to build the Bearcat lead back to 10.

Cooper also pulled down six rebounds, second to Jake Reinders who had a team high seven.

The Bearcats close out the Hillyard Classic Saturday night as they take on William Jewell. Game time for Saturday's game has also been pushed back to 6 p.m. from Looney Fieldhouse.