Northwest Missouri State men's basketball battled back from a 12-point first half deficit, but couldn't hold down a potent Missouri Southern attack in the final 20 minutes as the Lions prevailed 91-to-85 in the MIAA Tournament's opening round.
The loss closes out the Bearcat season with a 15-16 record.
After trailing 31-19, Northwest used an 18-3 run to push ahead 37-34. The game remained close with neither team opening a lead of more than six points in the second half.
The Bearcats trailed by two with 1:16 to go, but failed to score the rest of the way as Southern got a layup and a pair of free throws to close the game.
Larenz Walters came off the bench to lead the team in scoring with 21 points.
Aiden Gair posted 16 points and five assists. Royce Williams and Robby Garcia added 13 points apiece.