BOX SCORE (PDF)

MARYVILLE, Missouri - Senior Joey Witthus posted his second straight 30-point game as he led the No. 2-ranked Northwest Missouri State University men's basketball team to a 79-59 win over Emporia State University at Bearcat Arena.

Witthus poured in 32 points, including a stretch of 16 consecutive points in the second half, as Northwest improved to 15-0 overall and 5-0 in the MIAA. Witthus went 11-of-12 from the field and drained five triples in the triumph.

Northwest drained 17 three-pointers in the contest. Northwest sank 10-of-20 from distance in the final 20 minutes.

The Bearcats led by as many as 16 points in the first half before Emporia State closed to within six points at 48-42 in the second half. Trevor Hudgins hit a triple to give Northwest a nine-point lead, then Witthus simply took over. When the Witthus scoring barrage had ended, Northwest held a 67-52 advantage and never looked back. A Ryan Welty triple gave Northwest its largest lead of the game 79-53 with 1:36 left on the clock.

Northwest will be back in action Saturday at 3:30 p.m. against the Washburn Ichabods. Northwest and Washburn are the only two remaining unbeaten teams in MIAA play. Washburn moved to 4-0 in league play with a 95-94 overtime win at Missouri Western.

NOTES: Northwest has defeated Emporia State four straight times and has been victorious in 10 of the last 11 contests ... Witthus has four career 30-point games (three at Northwest, one at Minnesota State) ... Northwest extended the nation's longest win streak to 15 in the win.