BOX SCORE (PDF)

MARYVILLE, Missouri - The No. 1-ranked Northwest Missouri State University men's basketball team fended off a hot-shooting University of Central Missouri Mules squad in the Bearcats's home opener, 74-67.

The Bearcats built a 20-point cushion at 47-27 with 14 minutes to play in the contest. The Mules's Cameron Hunter led a second-half charge as he tallied 21 of his 23 points in the final stanza. Hunter buried five three-pointers in the second half as the Mules eventually cut the Bearcat lead to five at 72-67. Junior Diego Bernard sank a pair of free throws to close out the scoring.

Northwest sank 21 of 22 second-half free throws to keep Central Missouri at bay. Junior Trevor Hudgins made all eight of his free throw attempts and scored 18 points in the victory. Hudgins tallied a game-high five assists and tied with Bernard for the team lead in steals with three.

Northwest shot 46.7% from the field, while Central Missouri was credited with 50% shooting on 23-of-26 field goals.

Senior Ryan Hawkins led the way with a game-high 25 points. It is the 27th 20-point game of Hawkins's Bearcat career. Hawkins went 9-of-18 from the field as he buried a team-best four three-pointers.

The Bearcats return to play Saturday at home against the Lincoln Blue Tigers. Tip is set for approximately 3:30 p.m. following the women's contest.

NOTES: Northwest ran its overall win streak to 25 in a row ... Northwest won its 34th straight home game in Bearcat Arena ... the Bearcats have won 51 of its last 52 games vs. MIAA opposition ... since the start of the 2011-12 season, Northwest has compiled a home record of 126-9, including a mark of 81-7 in MIAA play ... Northwest has won 55 of its last 56 home MIAA contests ... freshman Byron Alexander reached double figures for the first time in his collegiate career with 12 points on 4-of-4 field goals ... Alexander was also a perfect 4-of-4 at the free throw line ... Hudgins became only the eighth Bearcat to surpass 400 career assists in the contest ... Hudgins has 403 career assists ... Hawkins drained four three-pointers to give him 202 career triples and become the 6th Bearcat to drain 200 or more three-pointers.