JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri – The No. 1-ranked Northwest Missouri State University men’s basketball team overcame a six-point first-half deficit and remained perfect on the season with a 75-57 road triumph over the Lincoln Blue Tigers on Saturday in Jason Gymnasium.

Senior Joey Witthus and fedshirt freshman Trevor Hudgins paved the way. Witthus tallied a game-high 30 points, while Hudgins chipped in with 24. Hudgins scored 16 of his in the opening half.

Lincoln led 22-16 with 9:29 remaining in the opening half. Northwest would close the half on a 20-6 run to hold a 36-28 advantage at the break.

Northwest extended its run into the second half and built a 48-30 lead with 17:02 to go in the game.

The Bearcats committed only one turnover in the game – a shot clock violation with 1:50 left in the game.

The Bearcats drained 22-of-26 at the free throw line, while the Blue Tigers made 5-of-8 at the free throw stripe. Northwest out-rebounded Lincoln, 34-31.

Northwest (23-0 overall, 13-0 MIAA) secured its 12th straight road victory and 23rd straight MIAA win. Lincoln suffered its sixth loss this year and only its fourth setback in MIAA play.

Northwest will be back in action in Bearcat Arena on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. against Central Missouri.

NOTES: Hudgins made four more free throws to extend his consecutive free throws made streak to 31 in a row … Kelvin Parker holds the Northwest record for consecutive free throws made with 35 … Central Missouri’s Reggie Soward holds the MIAA record with 36 consecutive made free throws from Dec 12, 2004-Jan. 29, 2005.

— Northwest Athletics —