BOX SCORE (PDF)

MARYVILLE, Missouri - The No. 2-ranked Northwest Missouri State University Bearcat men's basketball team rolled to its 20th win of the season with a 111-83 triumph over the Pittsburg State University Gorillas on Thursday in Bearcat Arena.

Northwest's was clicking on virtually all cylinders on the offensive end of floor. The Bearcats shot 55.6 percent from the field. Northwest drained 18-of-37 shots from three-point range and were a perfect 13-of-13 at the free throw line.

Senior Joey Witthus torched the Gorillas for a career-high 36 points, which included eight trifectas. Witthus was 13-of-19 from the field.

Redshirt freshman Trevor Hudgins collected a career-high 12 assists and scored 21 points. Hudgins went 8-of-13 from the field and knocked in both of his three-point shots. Hudgins notched his fourth double-double of the season and its the third time he's had 20-plus points and 10-plus assists in a game.

Sophomore Ryan Hawkins snared a game-high 11 rebounds and contributed with 13 points. Hawkins has nine double-doubles on the year.

The contest was tied at 2-2 and then Northwest took off. The Bearcats quickly put together a 10-0 run to take a 12-2 lead with 16:54 left in the first half. The Gorillas was claw no closer than 10 points the rest of the game. Northwest opened up a 22-point bulge at 45-23 with 3:57 left in the half. Northwest would lead by as many as 25 points in the opening half. 

Northwest's lead would balloon to as many as 35 point the second half at 98-63 with 7:23 remaining in the contest. 

The Bearcats will be back in action Saturday at home against the Missouri Southern. The Bearcats and Lions will tip at approximately 3:30 p.m. in Bearcat Arena.

NOTES: Northwest has won 15 consecutive MIAA games dating back to the 2017-18 season ... Northwest is 10-0 at home this season ... the Bearcats are 72-7 in their last 79 MIAA games, including 38-1 in Bearcat Arena ... Ryan Hawkins added three steals to up his MIAA-leading total to 50 on the year ... Northwest's 20-0 start ties it for the third-best start to a season in school history.

BEST STARTS IN SCHOOL HISTORY
31-0 - 1929-30
24-0 - 2016-17
20-0 - 1931-32
20-0 - 1939-40
20-0 - 2018-19