Northwest Missouri State hit 10 first half three-pointers, building a 17-point halftime lead then hold off a Fort Hays State second half rally for an 88-74 win over the Tigers Saturday at Gross Coliseum. The loss drops the Tigers to 8-3 overall and 0-3 in the MIAA while the Bearcats improve to 8-4 and 3-0 in conference play.

Mark Johnson Interview

Northwest raced out to an early six-point lead then closed the first half on a 29-12 run to take control. Fort Hays State opened the second half on a 16-5 run to pull within six. They would cut the gap to five on several occasions but could get no closer.

The Bearcats hit 21-of-24 free throws and were 17-of-18 from the line in the second half.

Northwest, who came into the game as the second best three-point shooting team in the MIAA behind Fort Hays State, hit 13-of-20 and shot 52-percent from the floor. The Tigers hit just 3-for-10 from beyond the arc. The Bearcats outrebounded FHSU by 14.

Craig Nicholson Interview

Dwayne Brunson led four Tigers in double-figures with 19 points but grabbed just three rebounds. Craig Nicholson added 17 points and 10 assists and four steals. Tomislav Gabric scored 15 and Carson Konrade 14, 12 of them in the second half.

Game Highlights