MARYVILLE, Mo. – The Missouri Western men’s basketball team lost at Northwest Missouri State Saturday inside Bearcat Areana 72-54.

The Bearcats jumped on the Griffons early, scoring the first nine points and holding MWSU to just 18 first half points. Missouri Western went to the break down 30-18 and trailed by as many 25 in the second half but were able to get the Northwest lead to 13 within the final minutes but could reach no closer.

Cortrez Colbert led team with 20 points and seven rebounds. Kevin Thomas fell just short of a double-double, scoring 15 with nine rebounds. Dareon Jones finished with 11 points. MWSU shot 40 percent from the field and 27 percent from three-point range. Northwest finished 54 percent from the field and 40 percent from long range.

The loss dropped the Griffons to 11-13 overall and 7-10 in MIAA play. The team travels to Central Missouri on Feb. 25.

— MWSU Sports Information —