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Northwest Missouri State Athletics

OFFICIAL HOME OF NORTHWEST MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY BEARCAT ATHLETICS
Royce celebration vs. UCM
Aaron Hare - Northwest Athletics
80
Winner Northwest Mo. St. NMSU 10-11,3-7 Mid-America Intercollegiate
79
Central Mo. CentMo 15-7,6-4 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Winner
Northwest Mo. St. NMSU
10-11,3-7 Mid-America Intercollegiate
80
Final
79
Central Mo. CentMo
15-7,6-4 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Northwest Mo. St. NMSU 31 49 80
Central Mo. CentMo 39 40 79

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Williams's game-winner gives Northwest road triumph at UCM, 80-79

WARRENSBURG, Mo. — The Northwest Missouri State University men's basketball squad overcame a 12-point second-half deficit and used a game-winning shot from Royce Williams with :02 left to score an 80-79 road win over Central Missouri.

Northwest snapped a five-game losing skid and improved to 10-11 overall and 3-7 in MIAA play. Central Missouri fell to 13-6 overall and 7-3 in league action.

Northwest Missouri State opened the game with a quick strike, as Royce Williams hit a 3-pointer at 19:17 to take an early lead. The team managed to maintain pace with Central Missouri, with Larenz Walters contributing five points from free throws and a late 3-pointer to keep the game close. Despite shooting 36.7 percent from the field compared to Central Missouri's 44.8 percent, the Bearcats stayed competitive, using fast breaks to score 11 points. The half concluded with Northwest trailing 39–31.

Northwest surged ahead with a key 3-pointer from Aiden Gair at 17:04, narrowing the deficit and setting the stage for a back-and-forth battle. Gair's long-range shot was part of a larger run that saw the visitors take their first lead of the half at 12:01 with another Gair 3-pointer, making it 52-49. Despite the Mules' attempts to regain control, including a stretch where they edged ahead 66-54, Northwest responded with key baskets and relentless pressure.

The half's closing moments were tense, as the Bearcats clawed back from a narrow margin. Trey Moala sank two free throws to close the UCM lead to one. Williams capitalized on a late turnover with a jumper at 0:02, sealing an 80-79 victory. The visitors outscored Central 49-40 in the half, clinching the win.

Presley Ibeh led the team with 17 points, converting 7 of 11 field goal attempts. Gair contributed 16 points and added four assists. Williams also scored 16 points while collecting five rebounds. Jack Ratigan made an impact defensively with four steals and two blocks.

Northwest will play host to Missouri Western on Saturday, Jan. 31. The game is set to tip off at 3:30 p.m. in Bearcat Arena.
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