ST. JOSEPH, Missouri – The No. 5-ranked Northwest Missouri State University men’s basketball team could not miss to begin the game and used the hot start to post a 100-86 victory over the defending national champion and No. 13-ranked Ferris State University.

Northwest (2-0 overall) had a balanced attack with five players in double figures including career highs from redshirt freshman Trevor Hudgins (26), sophomore Ryan Hawkins (20) and junior Kirk Finley (17)).

The Bearcats drained their first 10 shots from three-point land and opened up a comfortable 38-12 first-half lead over the Bulldogs. Northwest sank 12-of-14 shots from distance in the first half.

Northwest will be in action again next weekend in St. Joseph at the Hillyard Tipoff Classic. The Bearcats will take play Upper Iowa on Friday at 5:30 p.m., followed by a matchup against Winona State on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

NOTES: Northwest reached the 100-point mark for the first time since scoring 103 points vs. Missouri Valley on Dec. 13, 2016 … the last time all five Bearcat starters reached double figures in scoring came Jan. 20, 2018, against Fort Hays State … Northwest buried 14 3-pointers in the victory.

— Northwest Athletics —