EMPORIA, Kan. - The #3 SBU Bearcats pounded the Emporia State Hornets 104-69, to remain undefeated at 12-0 overall and 5-0 in the MIAA.

The Bearcats had seven players in double figures. Nick Kovacevich had 16 points to lead the attack. Johnnie Harris had 14 points on his 22nd birthday, Ryan Dougherty had 13, Wendell Mardis and Brandon Clemons each had 12 points, D'Ante Harris had 11 and Tomas Brock had 9 points for the 'Cats. Clemons led the 'Cats with 9 rebounds.

The Bearcats led 51-30 at halftime. The Bearcats shot 57% for the game and held the Hornets (10-3, 4-2 in MIAA) to 39% from the floor. The Bearcats out-rebounded the Hornets 44 to 28. The 'Cats made 14 of 24 shots from three-point range.

“The kids were ready to play," said head coach Jeff Guiot. "We knew there was a lot at stake here. There's still a lot of basketball to be played but this was a battle for first place. I wanted our guys to have a little better defensive effort on the road than what we've had in the past. Defensively is what really pleases me the most. The shooting is nice — we shot 9 for 10 in the second half from three, which really helps out.”

SBU continues the Kansas portion of their road swing next Wednesday, when they travel to Topeka to take on the Washburn Ichabods. Game time is 7:30 p.m. from Lee Arena.

Final stats