ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - Despite a career-high 29-point performance from sophomore guard
Bennett Stirtz, the No. 1-ranked Northwest Missouri State University men's basketball dropped a 63-56 decision to the Southwest Minnesota State University Mustangs at the MWSU Fieldhouse in the Hillyard Classic.
Northwest (1-1 overall) saw its 18-game neutral court winning streak snapped by Southwest Minnesota State (2-0 overall). The Mustangs shot 43.5% from the field and overcame a one-point halftime deficit with a 37-29 advantage in the second half.
Stirtz put up a career-best 29-point performance on 9-of-19 shooting. Stirtz buried six three-pointers and was a perfect 5-of-5 at the line. Stirtz committed four turnovers to along with only one assist.
Wes Dreamer was the only other Bearcat in double-figure scoring with 10 points. Dreamer also collected a team-high eight rebounds.
The Bearcats committed 13 turnovers against the Mustangs after only turning it over five times in its season-opener the day before against No. 21-ranked Northern State.
SMSU's Cliff Cofield scored 20 points on 8-of-9 shooting and added five assists in the win.
Northwest will head to Aberdeen, S.D., next weekend to take part in the Small College Basketball Champions Classic against Upper Iowa and Emmanuel (Ga.).
