The Northwest Missouri men's basketball team used a big advantage at the free-throw line to capture a 67-57 win against the Lincoln Blue Tigers on Saturday.
The Bearcats made 13-of-19 free throws at Jason Gym, compared to just 5-of-5 for the Blue Tigers. Lincoln was whistled for 21 fouls and Northwest Missouri was called for 12.
The Bearcats used some torrid first-half shooting to jump out to a 37-24 lead at intermission. Northwest made 15-of-23 shots (65 percent), including a 4-of-8 effort on 3-pointers.
Lincoln, meanwhile, made 9-of-19 shots (47 percent) while falling behind by as many as 16 - that coming at 30-14 after the first 13 minutes.
The Bearcats' lead reached 16 twice more after the break, the last coming at 42-26.
That's when the Blue Tigers mounted a furious rally, going on a 16-1 run that started with a four-point play by Victor Scott. Included in the streak were 3s by Scott and Blake Ralling, two buckets by Aaron Spudich, a free throw by Anthony Woods and a layup by Joshua Buie that got Lincoln to within 43-42.
The Blue Tigers were still within one with 10 minutes left, but an 11-4 spurt by the Bearcats helped them stop the comeback attempt.
Lincoln got back within three with 5:51 left at 56-53 on a jumper by Ralling, but couldn't complete the comeback.
Spudich tied for the game highs with 14 points and seven rebounds. Ralling added 13 points and Scott had 12.
Grant Cozad had 14 to pace Northwest Missouri, former Hickman Kewpie Lyle Harris had 13 and seven rebounds and Conner Crooker had 11 points.
Lincoln is now 4-17 overall and 1-11 in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association, while Northwest Missouri is 15-5 and 8-4.
The Blue Tigers return to action Wednesday at Lindenwood University.