Box Score

MARYVILLE, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State got off to a 20 point lead and never looked back as the Bearcats finished their first undefeated non-conference schedule for the first time since the 2003-04 season, with a 90-60 win over Graceland on Sunday afternoon at Bearcat Arena.

The Bearcats also improved to 9-0 on the year for the first time since the 03-04 season where Northwest rattled off 13 straight wins to start the year. Graceland fell to 6-7 on the year and has lost its last four games.

Northwest jumped out early on the Yellowjackets and never trailed as they built a 23-4 lead in the first 10 minutes of the game. The Bearcats extended their lead to 50-18 at the half, but would have to withstand a feverish Graceland rally to start the second half.

Graceland pulled within 13 points just under the 9 minute mark in the game, but Dillon Starzl knocked down the next four points to jump start the Bearcat rally. Starzl barely missed a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds in the win.

The Northwest defense would lock down in the final 8 minutes to build the Bearcat lead back to 25 after Justin Clark intercepted a Yellowjacket pass and pushed ahead to DeShaun Cooper for the easy lay-in. Cooper was 1 of 6 Bearcats to finish in double figures with 10 points.

DeAngelo Hailey came off the bench for the Bearcats to score 17 points and led all players and added nine rebounds.

Northwest dominated the smaller Yellowjackets inside posting 32 points in the paint and holding Graceland to only 14.

The Bearcats return to MIAA action on Saturday as they travel to 10th-ranked Fort Hays State in a battle for first-place. Tip from Hays, Kan. is scheduled for 4 p.m.