Tuesday night’s game was never in doubt as the Northwest Missouri State men’s basketball team ran-away from Southwest Baptist for a 70-51 victory at the Meyer Sports Center.

Northwest improved to 13-4 on the season and 6-2 in the MIAA to pull just a half a game behind league leading Central Missouri. SBU fell to 5-11 overall and 3-5 in league play as Northwest won in Bolivar for the first time since Dec. 9, 2006.

SBU gained their only lead of the night when Jayon’e Troutman’s dunk gave the purple Bearcats a 2-0 lead.

DeAngelo Hailey would answer with a three-pointer giving Northwest their first lead as Head Coach Ben McCollum’s group never looked back. It was also the first win in Bolivar for McCollum who will now lead his troops against Central Missouri Saturday – an arena McCollum has also never won at.

Northwest took a 36-24 lead into the intermission after shooting 50 percent from the field in the first half. The league’s top defensive team continued its outstanding effort as SBU managed to shoot only 33 percent from the field in the first half and 36 percent for the game.

Junior Dillon Starzl finished the night 6-of-8 from the field for a game-high 16 points and six rebounds. Alex Sullivan and Bryston Williams joined Starzl in double figures with 12 and 11 points respectively.

A hot start from behind the three-point line also benefited Northwest, as Sullivan finished 4-of-8 from behind the arc. It was also just the fifth time this season Northwest committed fewer than 10 turnovers, as the Bearcats scored 20 points off turnovers compared to SBU at only two.

Troutman led SBU with 12 points and five rebounds.

Northwest closes its three-game road swing Saturday at Central Missouri in what likely could be a battle for first place in the MIAA. The Bearcats will also be looking to snap a five-game losing streak to the Mules. Tipoff from the Multipurpose Building in Warrensburg is set for 3:30 p.m.

— NWMSU Sports Information —