Bearcats Take Shoot Out, 100-94

Kearney, Neb. – Northwest Missouri State hit 12 three pointers and senior guards Aiden Gair and Royce Williams both scored 25 to help the Bearcats out last Nebraska Kearney, 100-94, Saturday evening at the Health & Sports Center.

The Bearcats (9-6, 2-2) and Lopers (7-8, 0-4) meet again Jan. 15 in Maryville.

Shooting 51% from the field, Northwest got big efforts from Gair (8 of 16 FG's; 5 of 10 3's) and Williams (9 of 14 FG's; 4 of 6 3's; nine rebounds; seven assists). UNK led for much of the first half and by as many as seven points, but Williams got going to help NW lead 41-39 at the break.

"We've struggled defensively all year. Defense is what gives you a chance to win the game when your offense doesn't work. We try and work on it every day, and we want to guard the ball, trace it, contest shots. We just have to figure somethings out," said UNK head coach Marty Levinson. "We've tried a 3-2 zone, we've tried a 2-3 zone, we've tried switching stuff, we've tried hard hedging stuff. It's a pride thing, and the guys are going to have to dig in and take it more personally. Otherwise, the guys in this league will continue to keep hitting shots."

The teams went back-and-forth over the first 10 minutes of the second half before the 'Cats opened leads of 75-68 and 86-79. The Lopers cut both deficits to two points but couldn't get over the hump. A rare four-point possession helped NW move ahead 90-86 with 2:49 remaining. An offensive rebound after a missed free throw led to a three by reserve guard Larenz Walters (19 points; 12 of 13 FT's) and UNK didn't get closer than four the rest of the way.

"It's a pride thing. You can only do so much defensive stuff; you can only scheme so much and watch film. At some point, the guys have to take it personally and do a better job," said Levinson. 

Starters Trey Moala (seven rebounds) and Matthew Mayes (four rebounds) had 10 points apiece for the 'Cats who finished 26 of 34 at the line. UNK made 23 of 29 freebies and shot 44% from the field.

Redshirt senior guard Kendrick Gilbert (St. Louis) had a career-high 21 points with redshirt senior reserve wing Tom Connelly (Denver) having 20 off the bench. Gilbert made seven shots (two threes) and five freebies with Connelly having three of UNK's 11 threes. He fell just three points of his career high. 
Finally, redshirt senior point guard Ja'Bryant Hill (Dallas) was at 21 points and seven assists with senior guard Wade Williams (Duncanville, Texas) at 15 points.

"I'm so proud of Tom. He plays with a motor every day. He's flying around, crashing the glass," said Levinson.

UNK hosts Fort Hays State (10-3, 2-2) Tuesday night. The Tigers got past Missouri Western State today, 67-65.