MARYVILLE, Mo. - The No. 11-ranked Northwest Missouri State University men's basketball team shot a school-record 73.9% from the field, including 90.0% in the second half in an 84-63 home win over the Rogers State University Hillcats.

The 73.9% field goal shooting (34-of-46 FGs) ranks as the highest single-game percentage in the nation this year among NCAA Div. II men's basketball teams. Northwest broke its own school record for field goal percentage, besting the previous mark of 72.9% (35-of-48) vs. Missouri Western on Dec. 18, 2021.

The Bearcats only mis-fired on 12 shots all night with two of those misses coming in the second half. Northwest buried 18-of-20 field goals in the second half to shoot 90.0% from the floor. Abilene Christian set the NCAA Div. II men's basketball record for shooting in a half by making 95.0% (19-of-20) on Jan. 21, 1989 vs. Cameron. Northwest was one field goal make away from tying that mark. Southwest Baptist holds the MIAA single-game field goal percentage record at 74.5% - set against Missouri-St. Louis on Jan. 12, 1994.

Northwest captured its 20th win for the 13th consecutive season and moved its current win streak to nine in a row. Northwest also tallied its 10th straight win in Bearcat Arena. Northwest is 20-4 overall and 16-2 in MIAA play. Rogers State is 13-10 overall and 10-7 in league action.

Sophomore Bennett Stirtz recorded his seventh 20-point scoring game of the season with a 23-point performance against the Hillcats. Stirtz made 9-of-12 shots from the floor and knocked in 4-of-5 at the free throw line. Stirtz added five rebounds and three assists. It is Stirtz's ninth career 20-point scoring game as a Bearcat.

Junior Daniel Abreu reached double-figure scoring for the 11th time this year with his 16 points vs. the Hillcats. Abreu scored 12 of the first 14 points of the game for Northwest. Abreu was one of two Bearcats (Mitch Mascari) to miss a shot in the second half. 

Junior Isaiah Jackson distributed seven assists and scored six points while only turning the ball over once in 35 minutes-plus of court time.

Redshirt freshman Trey Moala registered a career-high eight points and grabbed seven rebounds. Moala came off the bench and gave the Bearcats 23 minutes of action as they did not have the services of senior forward Wes Dreamer (wrist injury) for the second straight game.

Northwest did not trail in the contest and it was never tied. The Bearcats made their first seven field goal attempts and built a 19-11 lead six minutes into the game. Rogers State cut the Northwest lead to two points at 21-19 and 23-21 in the opening half. Northwest held a 39-30 edge at the break.

The Hillcats closed to within six points at 39-33 with 18:40 to play. However, Northwest hit Rogers State with a 13-2 run to open up a 17-point bulge at 52-35. The scoring margin did not dip below 12 points for the remainder of the game. 

Northwest will play host to Northeastern State on Saturday as the Bearcats celebrate Senior Day. Northwest will honor Wes Dreamer and Mitch Mascari prior to Saturday's tip at 3:30 p.m. against the RiverHawks. Northeastern State picked up a 62-61 win at Missouri Western Thursday night in St. Joseph, Mo.

NOTES: Northwest is 8-0 all-time vs. Rogers State ... Northwest has won 25 of its last 26 home games ... since Jan. 14, 2015, Northwest is 129-7 at home, which includes a mark of 93-4 vs. MIAA opponents ... Northwest has won 21 consecutive home games vs. MIAA foes ... Northwest has won 32 of its last 34 games with MIAA opponents ... Northwest produced 84 points on 60 offensive possession vs. Rogers State ... it is the 11th time this season that Northwest has shot 50.0% or better from the field ... Northwest is 244-20 over the last eight years ... it is the 19th time this season the Bearcats have held the opposition to less than 70 points ... Northwest is 154-3 in games decided by 20 or more points under head coach Ben McCollum ... Northwest has won 152 consecutive games when the final margin is 20 points or more ... head coach Ben McCollum moved his career mark to 385-90 ... McCollum is 237-63 in MIAA games.