JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Jake Reinders scored a career high 20 points to pace Northwest Missouri State to an 80-62 win over Lincoln University in MIAA action at Jason Gymnasium to close out 2011.

The Bearcats moved to 10-1 on the year and 4-1 in league play in their first action in almost two weeks. Northwest was able to rid a sour taste left of its first loss of the year, while the Blue Tigers fell to 1-9 and 1-4 in MIAA play.

Northwest led by as many as 12 points in the first half, but Lincoln would rally at the end of the half cutting the Bearcat lead to 37-29 at intermission.

Both teams would battle back-and-forth to start the second period, but Reinders would score on four consecutive trips pushing the Bearcat lead to 18 points. All points came in the paint and were via Matt Wallace during the stretch, who finished with a season high six assists.

Northwest as a team finished with 12 assists while only committing 13 turnovers in the win.

The Bearcats also were outstanding shooting 64 percent from the field in the second half and 52 percent for the game.

Juniors DeShaun Cooper and Bryston Williams also finished in double figures with 11 points each.

Northwest returns to action as they travel to Missouri Western on Jan. 4 for a 7:30 p.m. tip from St. Joseph.