The Northwest Missouri State men’s basketball team had five players reach double-figures in an 80-68 victory over Central Missouri on Saturday afternoon at Bearcat Arena. The Bearcats increased their lead in the MIAA standings, improving to 8-1 in league play and 13-5 overall. UCM drops to 14-4 and 6-3 in conference action.

DeShaun Cooper had a team-best 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting. He had five rebounds to go along with five assists. Dillon Starzl shook of a slow start and finished with 15 points and six rebounds. Conner Crooker and Zach Schneider each had 14 points and Grant Cozad added 10 points off the bench. Cozad finished with a game-high seven rebounds.

Northwest shot 53.3 percent from the field (24-for-45) and hit 8-of-16 from beyond the arc. The Bearcats also converted 24-of-32 times from the line.

UCM tied the game twice in the opening minutes of the game but never again came within striking distance of Northwest. The Bearcats would lead by as many as 19 with 2:36 left in the first half. Northwest lead 39-27 at the break.

In the second half, UCM pulled to within six, 41-35, as Jon Gilliam hit a three pointer. But the Bearcats would respond, pushing the lead back out to double-digits. The win was Northwest’s first victory over UCM since Jan. 14, 2009, when the Bearcats won at home 61-57.

Up next, Northwest will host Missouri Southern on Wednesday, Jan. 22, at 7:30 p.m. at Bearcat Arena.

— Northwest Sports Information —