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KXCV-KRNW


Local Sports

Feb. 22, 2018Game | Basketball

Northwest 67, Lindenwood 60

(Photo credit: NWMSU Men's Basketball)

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For the fifth year in a row, Northwest Missouri State men's basketball reigns supreme in the MIAA.

The Bearcats wrapped up their fifth straight regular season conference title Thursday evening with a 67-60 win over Lindenwood.

The victory assures at least a share of the championship for Northwest (23-3, 15-3 MIAA), and they can clinch it outright with a win Saturday over Lincoln.

The win to bring more hardware to Maryville didn't come easy, though. The Bearcats' largest lead in the first half reached seven points, but the two teams ended up trading the lead back and forth until the final minute of the half. Justin Pitts hit a layup with 39 seconds remaining to give Northwest a 37-35 lead at halftime.

Pitts scored 12 of his 18 points in the first half, and also added three assists and a steal in the game.

The Lions managed to steal the lead back three minutes into the second half on a three-pointer from Adam Pohlman, but 40-39 was the last time Lindenwood would be in front the rest of the way.

Joey Witthus scored in double figures for the sixth straight game as he led Northwest with 19 points and four rebounds.

Xavier Kurth and Brett Dougherty each finished with 10 points apiece.

The Bearcats, despite playing without senior Chris-Ebou Ndow due to injury, played an efficient offense shooting 53.2-percent from the field and only turning the basketball over seven times.

Northwest wraps up the regular season Saturday in Jefferson City against Lincoln. Tip off is set for 3:30pm. Pregame on KXCV-KRNW will begin at 3:10pm.