Press Release

Feb. 20, 2013

Sullivan ties record in win over rival Griffons

Box Score

MARYVILLE, Mo. – Alex Sullivan tied a Northwest Missouri State record as he knocked down eight three-pointers to help propel the Bearcats to a 59-52 win over Missouri Western Wednesday night in MIAA men’s basketball action.

The Bearcats improved to 17-8 on the season and 10-6 in league play and sit tied for fifth place, but hold a tie-breaker over two teams above them. The Griffons fell to 9-14 overall and 5-10 in the MIAA.

Sullivan hit his sixth trey of the night just two minutes into the second half giving Northwest a 33-30 lead. From there the Bearcats would not relinquish the lead after trailing by one, 28-27 at halftime.

The senior guard finished with a game-high 25 points as his eight three-pointers tied a record held by three other Bearcats. Maurice Huff, current Northwest football assistant Joel Osborn and current Northwest men’s basketball assistant Austin Meyer all share the record with Sullivan as his 15 attempts also ties a school record with Louis Jones set during the 1987-88 season.

Northwest would use a 12-3 run to build its largest lead of the night, a 10-point margin 48-37 with 10:29 left in the game. However, the Griffons would not go quietly using a 10-3 run of their own to make it a two-point game with 4:10 left.

After a scoreless streak of nearly seven minutes, DeAngelo Hailey caught a baseline pass from Tyler Funk to give Northwest a 50-46 lead at the 3:09 mark. Hailey tallied his second double-double of the season with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Again the Bearcats would be tested at the free-throw and again they would come out on top. Six free-throws in the final minute iced the game for the Bearcats with a 59-52 win.

Northwest has now won seven of the last nine meetings against Missouri Western including the last four at home. The win also gives the Bearcats 26 wins at Bearcat Arena in their last 29 games dating back to February 2011.

The Bearcats take a week off before returning to the hardwood next Wednesday at Nebraska-Kearney before the regular season finale against Truman State. The Bearcats cruised to a 30-point win at home against the Lopers in December. Tipoff from Kearney, Neb., is set for 7:30 p.m.