In the first ever meeting between Northwest Missouri State and Rogers State, and the first game as MIAA foes, the Bearcats surged in the second half to down the Hillcats 74-55.
Rogers State put up a fight trailing by five at halftime, and got within three points of Northwest with 10:59 remaining in the game. That's when the Bearcats took off with a 16-0 run to open a 61-42 lead.
Junior Ryan Hawkins played all 40 minutes for Northwest as he tallied a game-high 28 points to go along with eight rebounds. Trevor Hudgins followed with 26 points, three assists and three steals.
Diego Bernard just missed a double-double with seven points, 11 rebounds, five assists and three steals.
The Bearcats are in action again on the road Thursday at 7:30pm against Emporia State. Pregame on KXCV 90.5 and KRNW 88.9 begins at 7pm.