The Northwest Missouri men’s basketball team opened the 2013-14 regular season with a 91-78 victory over Upper Iowa on Saturday afternoon at the Recreation and Activities Center. The game was part of the Southwest Minnesota State University Classic.

Conner Crooker led the way for the Bearcats with 24 points, including a perfect 8-for-8 mark from the free throw line. Dillon Starzl was a perfect 7-for-7 from the field and finished with 18 points and nine rebounds. DeShaun Cooper, in his first action since the 2011-12 season, scored 15 points on 4-of-9 shooting. Bryston Williams was the fourth Bearcat in double-figures, adding 11 with a pair of threes.

As a team, Northwest shot 58.8 percent (30-51) from the field and hit 23 of its 27 free throws (85.2%). Defensively, the Bearcats force 12 turnovers and held a 33-28 rebound advantage. The game was tied twice during the first half but Northwest never trailed in the game.

The Bearcats will play against tournament host Southwest Minnesota State tomorrow afternoon at 4 p.m. Live video and live audio is available at NorthwestBearcats.com.

— Northwest Sports Information —