[box vs. NWMSU]

MARYVILLE, MO. ... Clinging to a six-point lead with just over five minutes to go in the game, a drastic turn of events led Northwest Missouri State (11-3/2-1) to an 80-68 win over Southwest Baptist (14-1/3-1).  The loss ends SBU's 14-game winning streak.

SBU had a 60-54 lead with 5:29 to go in the game.  NWMSU cut the lead to three on a three- pointer at the 4:54 mark and after a SBU turnover 20 seconds later NWMSU turned the ball back over to SBU.  At that point, an intentional foul was called on Jason Jemison at mid-court which gave NWMSU two free throws and the ball back at the 4:11 mark.  NWMSU made both free throws to cut the lead to one, 60-59, and then hit a jumper to reclaim the lead, 61-60.  Jemison responded with his own three-pointer on the other end to put SBU back up, 63-61, with 3:46 left to play.  Just 17 seconds later, NWMSU nailed a clutch three-pointer from the corner to take the lead again, 64-63.  At the 2:46 mark, SBU's Deon Davis was whistled for a foul that led to NWMSU making one-of-two but they grabbed the offensive rebound and put it back in for a four-point lead, 67-63.  Jemison came down and swooshed another three-pointer to bring SBU within one at the 2:27 mark. 

NWMSU missed two shots on the ensuing possession but made a three-pointer on their third try to push their lead back to four, 70-66 (1:13).  With just 54 seconds left, Pace turned the ball over to NWMSU that turned into a six-point lead on the fast break.  Pace then brought the ball up the court and tried to get it to Jemison but was whistled for a foul with 41 seconds left.  This led to two technical fouls on the SBU bench.  NWMSU then made 5-of-6 free throws for an 11-point lead, 77-66.  NWMSU went on to make 3-of-4 from the line in the final 30 seconds as they went on for an 80-68 win.

The first half was not a SBU basketball half as they scored only 20 points and shot 28% from the floor.  SBU opened the game on a 7-0 run for the advantage but NWMSU shot back with a 9-0 run to take the lead at the 14:03 mark.  SBU took a 5-0 run and made it a five-point game with 11:43 left in the half.  NWMSU tied the game at 14 and then SBU once again scored the next five points for a 19-14 lead at the 8:43 mark.  This was the last scoring SBU would do in the half as NWMSU went on a 19-1 run.  SBU's lone point was a free throw by Pace.  That run put NWMSU with a 33-20 lead at the half. 

The purple Bearcats finished the game shooting 48% from the floor after hitting 20-31 in the second half (64%).  NWMSU finished with 39% shooting  but scored 23 points off of 22 SBU turnovers.  SBU did out rebounded NWMSU, 42-37. 

SBU will have to regroup as they will play for the MIAA lead in a top 25 match up on Tuesday, January 10, against Central Missouri State at 7:45 pm in the Meyer Sports Center.