ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Northwest Missouri State University men's basketball team dropped a 72-50 decision to the Augustana University Vikings to open the 2024-25 season at the Hillyard Classic in the MWSU Fieldhouse.
 
The Bearcats and Vikings were knotted at 12-12 in the first half after a bucket by senior transfer Emorie Knox with 14:17 on the clock. Augie went on a 7-0 run to take a 19-12 lead and would not trail the rest of the way. Augustana held a 35-26 advantage at the half.

Northwest started the second half with back-to-back three-pointers from Luke Moustakas and Spencer Schomers. The Schomers triple sliced the lead to 35-32 with 19:20 to play in the game. However, Augustana used a 26-4 run to turn a four-point game into a 25-point margin. The Bearcats made two baskets from the 19:20 mark to the 7:30 mark in the second half as the Vikings pulled away.
 
The Bearcats were led in scoring with a new career high for Luke Moustakas with 15 points. Moustakas drained five three-pointers in the season opener.

Northwest will return to action Sunday at 2 p.m. against Wayne State at the MWSU Fieldhouse in St. Joseph.

NOTES: Northwest had won 153 straight games when the final scoring margin had been 20 points or more ... Northwest lost its season opener for the first time in eight years ... head coach Matt Keeley made his NCAA Div. II coaching debut in the contest ... Northwest committed 20 turnovers, while Augustana was charged with nine turnovers ... Northwest buried 8-of-32 three-pointers ... Augie drained 9-of-21 from three-point range ... the Vikings went 5-of-12 at the free throw line ... Northwest went 2-of-4 at the charity stripe ... Augie won the rebounding battle, 38-33.