MARYVILLE, Mo. – Top ranked Northwest Missouri used a 25-point run in the first half to put away the RiverHawks 99-56 on Thursday evening in their MIAA opener.

The run came off of the first media timeout in the first half with the contest at 19-10 in favor of the Bearcats.  Northwest would drop down seven treys during the 25-point outburst on the RiverHawks who was second in the MIAA in three-point defense heading into the contest.

Following the run, Northeastern State nearly went nine minutes' in-between buckets and never could recover offensively on the road.  

Jamir Andrews led the RiverHawks with 20 points on five three pointers made for his third game this season surpassing 20+ points.  Lucas Antunez was NSU's second player in double figures with 13 points.

From the field, NSU was 17-for-46 (37-percent), and the Bearcats who move to 7-0 overall and 1-0 in league play shot 34-for-64 (54.8-percent) on their side of the court. 

Northwest's Justin Pitts led all scorers with 35 points and he connected on ten three-pointers.

Thursday's loss sends NSU to 3-4 overall and 0-1 in the MIAA.

The RiverHawks will return to the floor on Saturday to face Missouri Western on the road for a 4 p.m. start in St. Joseph.