MARYVIILLE, Mo. – A barrage of Northwest Missouri State three pointers in the second half slammed the door on a threat by the Missouri Western men’s basketball team in a 75-56 loss inside Bearcat Arena Saturday.

The Griffons trailed by just one with 14:17 to go in the second half when the 19th-ranked Bearcats got red hot from behind the arc. Northwest went on a 17-4 run that included five straight made threes to go up 56-42 with 9:47 left and never looked back.

On the day, Northwest shot 13-24 from three-point range and limited Missouri Western to two made threes on 14 attempts. The Griffons nearly matched Northwest from the field, shooting 47.8 percent to the Bearcats’ 55.3, and both teams were 10-14 at the free throw line.

Aaron Emmanuel finished with a team-high 16 points. Miles Wentzien finished with 11 and Kevin Thomas had 10 points. The loss dropped Missouri Western to 9-16 on the year, overall, and 7-12 in the MIAA. The loss sets up two important home games next week for Missouri Western’s MIAA Tournament hopes. The Griffons host Washburn on Feb. 24 and Central Missouri on Feb. 27.

— MWSU Athletics —