TOPEKA, Kan. – The No. 3-ranked Northwest Missouri State University men's basketball team tallied its 10th straight win with yet another decisive defensive effort in a 66-40 triumph over the Washburn University Ichabods at Lee Arena.
 
The Bearcats improved to 24-2 overall and 17-2 in league play. Washburn dropped to 12-12 overall and 9-9 in MIAA action.
 
Northwest held its third MIAA opponent to 40 points or less and its 17th overall opponent to less than 60 points in the contest. In MIAA play, Northwest has held 12 of its opponents to less than 60 points.
 
Northwest limited Washburn to 13 made field goals, tying for the lowest Bearcat defensive field goal output this season with Lincoln and Nebraska-Kearney. Washburn shot 29.5% from the floor (13-of-44). The Ichabods were equally as chilly from distance as the home team made only 3-of-13 (23.1%) from three-point land.
 
The Bearcats committed a season-high tying 17 turnovers but shot 51.1% from the floor. Northwest made 24-of-47 field goals. The Bearcats sank 10-of-21 from distance.
 
Four Bearcats reached double-figure scoring with junior Wes Dreamer leading the way with 17 points. Dreamer sank four three-pointers to take team-high honors from distance. Senior Diego Bernard reached double-figure scoring for the 18th straight game with 15 points. Bernard also added five assists, four steals and three rebounds.
 
Freshman Bennett Stirtz tallied 10 points, three assists, three rebounds and three steals. Sophomore Daniel Abreu secured 10 points and grabbed five rebounds.
 
Northwest made five of its first six shots of the game to build a 13-5 lead with 14:56 to play in the half. Junior Wes Dreamer dropped in three first-half three-pointers and led the way with 11 points at the break. Northwest led 28-20 at intermission. Washburn hit 8-of-27 first-half shots for a 29.6 percentage.
 
The Bearcat defensive effort was tightened up in the second half by holding the Ichabods to only five made field goals. Washburn was 5-of-17 from the floor in the final 20 minutes. Washburn made only two field goals in the final 10 minutes of the second half.
 
Northwest will return to action Saturday afternoon at Missouri Western. The Bearcats and Griffons will square off in the MWSU Fieldhouse at 3:30 p.m.