By David Boyce – Northwest Athletics
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Faced with a seven-point deficit early in first half, Northwest Missouri State needed to make it more difficult for Northern State to score. The Bearcats were taking on a team that should easily win over 20 games this year.
Northwest responded like a team still hungry despite coming off a one-loss, national championship season.
The Bearcats used their trademark gritty defense and team offense to come away with a 71-60 victory Sunday afternoon at the 26th Annual Hillyard Classic at the Missouri Western Fieldhouse. Northwest improved to 2-0 against two teams easily capable of reaching the NCAA Division II Tournament in March.
“This was big for us,” said Northwest senior Brett Dougherty. “It feels like a lot different team this year. Everything was kind of established the last two years. We had a lot of the same guys. We have new pieces this year. To get two big wins is good for us. It’s a good way to start the season.”
Holding a two-point lead at the start of the second half, the Bearcats scored the first four points on an inside basket by Dougherty and two free throws by junior Joey Witthus for a 42-36 lead.
The bucket by Dougherty, a 6-foot-7 forward, was significant. Like in the first half, Dougherty showed he wasn’t afraid to put up a shot against 6-8 forward Logan Doyle and 6-10 center Carter Evans.
“They had size on us, for sure,” said Dougherty, who finished with 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting. “Coach Mac saw on film that their feet were a little slow so I just tried to attack them. They weren’t doubling, and when they aren’t doubling, I got to make a move and be aggressive. That is what I did.”
Over the next several minutes, the Wolves stayed close by also playing tough defense. Northwest started creating some separation when senior Chris-Ebou Ndow hit a three-pointer to give the Bearcats a 49-42 lead.
“They really came out and played so we needed that reality check,” Ndow said. “They really stood up to us and gave us a battle.”
Northwest grabbed its first double-digit lead at 55-45 with 9:17 left on a basket by senior Justin Pitts, who finished with a game-high 22 points.
With a 60-51 advantage, the Bearcats upped their game to another level on both ends of the floor. It started with a three-pointer by freshman Ryan Hawkins.
“It is just fun being out there and using my length on defense,” said Hawkins, who provided a defensive spark in the first half. “Being 6-7 and having long arms help.
“And when you have JP (Justin Pitts) drawing all the attention like that, you get wide open threes. It feels good going in.”
Ndow followed with a dunk that put Northwest up 65-51 with 4:20 left. The Bearcats added another basket before Northern State finally scored again on a three-pointer with 2:02 left in the game. The Wolves still trailed 67-54.
“We got 50/50 balls,” Northwest coach Ben McCollum said. “The first half, they (Wolves) had nine offensive rebounds. We were a little bit soft boxing out. Once we started to calm that a little bit, it helps you out on transition on offense. I thought that was the key.
“I thought our energy was great. They are a good team. They will be there at the end of the year. That was a fun, early season game.”
In an intense, highly entertaining first half, Northwest took a slim 38-36 lead into halftime.
Behind the hot shooting of Northern State senior guard D.J. Pollard, the Wolves bolted to a 16-9 lead.
“There was no panic from us,” Ndow said. We came out after the timeout with intensity on defense and offense. But we know it starts with the defense.”
The Bearcats made it much harder for Northern State to get open looks. For the rest of the first half, the shot clock often ticked down to under 10 seconds before the Wolves got close to putting up a shot.
Northwest also found its rhythm on offense. One key was the power moves inside by Dougherty. He scored 10 points in the first half.
Two free throws by Dougherty tied the game at 21-21. Northwest took its first lead at 26-23 on a three-pointer by Pitts with 5:52 remaining in the first half.
After the Wolves tied it on a three-pointer by Pollard, consecutive treys by Pitts and sophomore Ryan Welty gave the Bearcats a 32-26 lead.
Northwest moved its advantage to seven at 36-29 on a drive by Ndow with 2:52 left.
But the Wolves, showing they are a high-quality team, regained the momentum, outscoring Northwest 7-2 the rest of the half.
“They are a team that prides themselves on getting into the post and being bullies,” Ndow said. “Brett stood up to them. Brett was by far the best player today. He really stepped up for us.”
— Northwest Athletics —