Box Score Kearney, Neb. – The NW Missouri State Bearcats shot 59 percent from the field to beat Nebraska Kearney, 80-48, Thursday night in Maryville, Mo.
 
Northwest (12-2, 5-1) has won six straight to move into sole possession of first place in the MIAA. Meanwhile, the Lopers (8-5, 4-3) have lost two in a row and are 3-3 on the road this winter.
 
Shooting well over 60% for most of the night, the Bearcats led from start to finish. Among the top offensive teams in the MIAA, Northwest led 41-25 at the break and held UNK to a season-low 32.7% shooting (17 of 52).
 
"That was a good team that played really, really well. We have some kids that have lost their confidence. And confidence is so important, especially in basketball," said UNK co-head coach Tom Kropp. "We didn't give a very good performance but you can't take anything away from NW Missouri. They played a great game."
 
Redshirt freshman guard Justin Pitts (5-9, 135 lbs.) had 19 points, four assists, three steals and two rebounds with senior guard Matt Wallace supplying 14 points, six rebounds, three steals and two assists.Inside, senior Grant Cozad was 6 of 7 from the field to have 13 points. He also had six rebounds in just 17 minutes of work.
 
The 'Cats finished 34 of 58 from the field (58.6%) and 9 of 16 at the line. They had a plus 12 rebounding margin, 38-26, and outscored the Lopers 50-18 in the paint.
 
Junior forward Ethan Brozek (Norfolk Catholic H.S.) and freshman forward Trey Lansman (Harlan, Ia.) had 10 points apiece to pace the Lopers. The pair also combined for 11 rebounds, two steals and an assist
 
"At this point, we are very fortunate to be able to take the next two days off. Over the last 10 days, we've had nine practices and three games," said Kropp. "We'll have four days of practice, or eight hours, next week to get back to the basic fundamentals and regain our confidence."
 
UNK hosts Northeastern State (Jan. 15th) and Central Oklahoma (Jan. 17th) next weekend