KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Northwest Missouri State University men's basketball team used a 20-point scoring run in the second half to capture its first win of the 2024-25 season with a 74-57 triumph over Chadron State University at Municipal Auditorium.
 
Luke Moustakas buried a career-high 21 points, including five three-pointers to lead the Bearcats in scoring. Spencer Schomers contributed with a career-high 18 points as he drained 6-of-9 field goals in the contest. Emorie Knox secured a double-double with 10 points and 10 assists. Jack Ratigan pulled down a career-best 12 rebounds.
 
It was the first NCAA Div. II victory for first-year head coach Matt Keeley as the Bearcats moved to 1-2 on the season. Overall, Northwest has won 28 of its last 29 games in games played in Municipal Auditorium.
 
Northwest started fast with a 14-8 edge. Chadron State responded with a 7-0 spurt to take a 15-14 advantage in the opening half. Northwest came right back with a 9-2 run to give the Bearcats a 23-17 first-half advantage. The Bearcats would lead by as many as eight points in the first half at 29-21. The Bearcats held a 32-28 halftime edge.
 
Northwest extended the margin to 11 points at 41-30 before Chadron State exercised a timeout. Chadron State whittled the Bearcat lead to four at 42-38. However, Northwest hit Chadron State with a 22-2 run to turn a 42-38 lead into a 64-40 advantage with less than nine minutes to play. Included in the run was a 20-0 spurt for the Bearcats that ensured the first victory of the season.
 
Chadron State narrowed the lead down to 14 at 70-56, but Northwest was able to close it out, 74-57.
 
Northwest will return to action Friday at 5 p.m. against UC Colorado Springs in Municipal Auditorium.