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BOLIVAR, Mo. -- The third-ranked Southwest Baptist Bearcats rebounded from their first loss of the season, with a 96-74 win over a gritty MidAmerica Nazarene team. The Bearcats (4-1) led by 20 points at halftime and cruised to the home-opening victory over the Pioneers (4-1).

"We're still trying to find our style of play," said head coach Jeff Guiot. "It was good to win and bounce back. We were more athletic which helped us dictate the tempo, by pressing and trapping to keep them off-balance. We haven't really worked on it much but it seems to be a good fit."

Matt Rogers led the 'Cats with 23 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. Tristan Steele had 14 points while newcomer Tim Baines had 12 points. "Baines had a good game tonight," added Guiot. "It was good to get his confidence going. We really threw it in the post tonight, which we didn't do Monday. Matt's our guy and he's got to have the offense run through him."

Brenton Bell led the NAIA Division I Pioneers with 20 points while Andrew Crotty had 14 for the visitors.

The Bearcats shot nearly 60% in the first half as they raced to a 53-33 edge at the break. In the second half, the Pioneers would get no closer than 14 points the rest of the way. The Bearcats' inability to extend the lead caught Guiot's attention. "We were a little complacent in the second half, but we have to learn to be intense for forty minutes. We are just having some growing pains but we are working them out and looking better."

The win extended the nation's second longest active Division II home court winning streak to 31 games. The Bearcats have not lost at home since February 12, 2007.

The Bearcats face a talented Dallas Baptist team in Texas on Saturday night. The game with the Patriots begins at 7 p.m. from the Burg Center in Dallas, Texas. SBU eliminated the Patriots in the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season, winning 74-68. SBU returns home for their Thanksgiving Classic, taking on Henderson State on Friday, November 27 at 8 p.m. Then its a quick rematch with Dallas Baptist as the Patriots and Bearcats will play in Bolivar at 6 p.m. on Saturday, November 28.