ST. JOSEPH, Missouri – The No. 5-ranked Northwest Missouri State men’s basketball team opened the season with a 72-70 overtime victory over Northern State.

Redshirt freshman Trevor Hudgins scored a game-high 25 points to go along with five assists and four steals. Hudgins forced overtime with a tear drop jumper with 24 seconds left in regulation.

Sophomore Ryan Hawkins threw down a dunk with 1:20 left in overtime to give the Bearcats a 63-61 lead. NSU’s Bo Fries buried a triple to give the lead back to the Wolves. Hudgins answered with a drive and lefty layup with 45 seconds left to give Northwest a 65-64 lead.

Junior Kirk Finley forced a tie up and jump ball that gave Northwest possession with 33.5 left. Finley buried a couple of free throws with 31.8 to give Northwest a three-point cushion at 67-64.

Finley grabbed a Wolves miss and drained two more free throws with 20.3 left. NSU’s Andrew Kallman buried a triple from deep with 6.5 left to make it 69-67 in Northwest’s favor.

Hudgins sank two free throws with 5.6 to go to push the lead back to four at 71-67. NSU’s Roko Dominovic knocked in a three with one second left to pull NSU back within one point. Joey Witthus sank one of two free throws with 0.5 seconds left to finish the scoring.

Northwest will be back in action Sunday at Civic Arena against No. 13-ranked Ferris State at 5:30 p.m.

— Northwest Athletics —