The 10th-ranked Northwest Missouri State men’s basketball team could not overcome a slow start as they dropped their first game of the 2012-13 season, 59-50, to St. Edward’s in the opening game of the Hawaii Classic.

It was a cold shooting night for both squads as both teams fell below 40 percent from the field on the night. The loss dropped Northwest to 8-1 on the season as St. Edward’s benefited from a hot start to improve to 7-6 on the year.

The Hilltoppers jumped out to an 8-0 lead before the Bearcats would get on the board at the 15:59 mark of the first period. A Dillon Starzl jumper started a 9-2 run pulling Northwest within a point; however the Bearcats were not able to completely close the gap trailing 34-22 at halftime.

Northwest continued to chip away at the St. Edward’s lead in the second half but could not pull closer than five points. The Bearcats twice drew the game within two scores after a Starzl lay-in with 7:06 left in the game made it 51-46.

The Hilltoppers answered on a three-pointer by James Stukes to make it 54-46, as Northwest would not get any closer the rest of the night.

Open looks would be hard to come by down the stretch for both teams as they combined for just nine points in the last five minutes of the game.

St. Edward’s was the first team to outrebound the Bearcats since a season opening win against Graceland, 40-34.

The Bearcats also struggled for the first time this season behind the three-point line, shooting just 18 percent on 3-of16 from behind the arc.

Starzl was the only Bearcat to score in double figures finishing with 17 points and seven rebounds.

The Hilltoppers’ Shimeek Johnson led all players with 18 points and pulled in four rebounds.

The Bearcats return to action tomorrow as they take on Harding University. Tip from Hawaii is set for 10 p.m. CST.

— NWMSU Sports Information —