ST. JOSEPH, Missouri – The No. 5-ranked Northwest Missouri State Bearcat men’s basketball team had five players in double figures for the second straight game and it led to a 76-59 win over Upper Iowa at the Hillyard Tipoff Classic at the Civic Arena.

Northwest improved to 3-0 on the season and won its 24th straight game on a neutral floor. Upper Iowa fell to 0-1 on the season. Northwest has defeated Upper Iowa in seven of the last eight meetings between the two schools.

Sophomore Ryan Hawkins netted his second straight 20-point game as he drained seven three-pointers en route to a game-high 23 points. Hawkins was 7-of-12 from three-point range in the triumph. Hawkins also collected his second career double-double with 12 rebounds.

Redshirt freshman Trevor Hudgins scored 16 of his 18 points in the first half and finished with a team-high four assists.

Upper Iowa held a 13-8 lead with 14:50 to go in the first half before Northwest blitzed the Peacocks with a 17-5 run to take a 25-18 advantage with 9:47 left in the opening half.

The Bearcats buried 13 pointers, while the Peacocks made nine from deep.

Upper Iowa shot 50 percent in the first half, but the Bearcats limited the Peacocks to 31 percent in the final 20 minutes.

Northwest will be back in action Saturday at 5:30 p.m. against Winona State at Civic Arena.

— Northwest Athletics —