KEARNEY, Neb. – The No. 17-ranked Northwest Missouri State University men's basketball team cruised to an 83-53 victory Saturday over the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers at the Health & Sports Center.
 
Northwest moved its season mark to 6-3 overall and 3-1 in MIAA play. UNK fell to 4-4 overall and 2-2 in league action.
 
Northwest gained its 21st win in 22 tries following losses under the direction of 15th-year head coach Ben McCollum. Northwest is 3-0 this season in games after losses.
 
The Bearcats struggled to put the ball in the hoop in Thursday's 57-59 loss at Fort Hays State as Northwest made only 14 field goals. The Bearcats had no such struggles on Saturday by knocking in 14-of-24 field goals in the first half in building a 38-22 lead at the intermission.
 
Northwest's hot shooting continued into the second half. The Bearcats made 10 of their first 12 field goal attempts to take a 62-32 advantage with 11:27 to play in the game. The Bearcats went on to drain 12 of their first 16 field goal attempts in the second half which helped the 'Cats to a 68-33 lead. UNK cut into the Northwest lead as the Bearcats went to their bench in the final eight minutes. UNK used an 18-4 run to cut the Bearcat lead to 72-51 with 3:22 to play.
 
The Bearcats would hit back with an 11-0 run, with a trio of three-pointers courtesy of Blake Danitschek. Danitschek scored nine points and did not miss a shot in three attempts as he saw action in the final seven minutes. Danitschek's scoring helped Northwest close out the 83-53 victory.
 
Northwest had four players reach double-figure scoring led by Dreamer's 20-point performance. Mascari tallied 17 points on the strength of five three-pointers and 6-of-9 shooting from the floor. A pair of Bearcats in Byron Alexander and Bennett Stritz scored 11 points.
 
Northwest shot a season-best 59.6% from the field (31-of-52). Northwest also buried a season-high 11 three-pointers on 26 attempts. Northwest came into the contest ranked No. 2 in the nation in free throw percentage, but only hit on 10-of-17 at the charity stripe.
 
UNK was limited to 38.8% from the field (19-of-49 FGs). UNK made only three of 15 from three-point range. Northwest won the rebounding battle, 33-23.
 
Northwest committed nine turnovers to mark the fourth time this season that the Bearcats have limited their miscues to less than 10.
 
Northwest will return home to Bearcat Arena to take on the Washburn Ichabods on Wednesday. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m., following the women's game.
 
NOTES: Northwest holds a 15-1 lead in the all-time series with Nebraska-Kearney … Northwest has won nine consecutive games in the series … Northwest is 7-1 vs. UNK in games played in Kearney, Neb. … Dreamer collected his 18th career 20-point scoring game … it is the third time this season that Mascari has reached double-figure scoring … Mascari has scored 10 or more points 15 times in his Bearcat career … Mascari has drained 102 career three-pointers … Northwest is 147-3 in games decided by 20 or more points under the direction of head coach McCollum … Northwest has won 146 straight games when the final margin is 20 points or more.