BOX SCORE (PDF)

ST. JOSEPH, Missouri – The No. 1-ranked Northwest Missouri State University men's basketball team defeated the Missouri Western Griffons and turned the MWSU Fieldhouse into Bearcat Arena South as the Bearcats defeated the Griffons for the 15th straight time in the series, 92-69.
 
Northwest ran its overall win streak to 19 in a row and while moving its record to 27-1 overall and 17-1 in MIAA play. The Griffons saw their 11-game home win streak snapped and fell to 16-13 and 12-6 in MIAA.
 
The best road shooting team in the MIAA lived up to its moniker in this one by shooting 57.4%. Northwest has shot 50% or better in 20 of its 28 games this season.
 
In the first half, Northwest knocked in 6-of-9 three-pointers. The Bearcats drained their last four three-point attempts in the first half. The Bearcats turned a 14-11 lead into a 44-24 advantage with a 30-13 spurt.
 
The Bearcats rolled in the second half and built a 31-point cushion at 84-53 with 4:13 to play.
 
Sophomore Trevor Hudgins also notched 28 points on the night, including 18 in the second half. For Hudgins, it was also his 17th 20-point game of the year. Hudgins, the nation's highest shooting three-point shooter buried 5-of-7 from distance in the victory.
 
Junior Ryan Hawkins churned out 25 points with 17 coming in the first half. It was the 17th 20-point game this season for Hawkins.
 
St. Joseph native sophomore Diego Bernard captured a team-best nine rebounds and added 11 points.
 
Northwest will wrap up its regular season Thursday at 7:30 p.m. against Washburn. Northwest will honor seniors Tyler Dougherty, Kirk Finley and Ryan Welty prior to the tip against the Ichabods.
 
NOTES: Northwest won its 18th straight game in the city of St. Joseph … Northwest defeated Missouri Western for the 20^th time in the last 21 meetings between the two schools … Northwest is 65-1 over the last two seasons … over the last seven seasons, Northwest is 120-15 in MIAA games … over the last four years, Northwest is 70-5 in MIAA matchups … the Bearcats moved to 8-1 on the road this season and have won 33 of their last 37 road MIAA contests … Northwest sank 20-of-22 free throws against Missouri Western.