KIRKSVILLE, Mo. -- The #6 SBU Bearcats turned a one-point halftime lead into a convincing 81-57 victory over the Truman State Bulldogs, to pull even with Central Missouri for first place in the MIAA. The win also clinched the Bearcats' berth in the MIAA Tournament in Kansas City.

The Bearcats (18-3, 11-3 MIAA) put four players in double figures led by Nick Kovacevich with 19 points. Matt Rogers had 18, Tomas Brock had 11 and D'Ante Harris had 10 points. Rogers also led with 9 rebounds and 6 blocks.

"This was a good win," said head coach Jeff Guiot. "Their style of play is tough to play against. They're disciplined and well-coached. We didn't shoot it well in the first half and we needed to guard and rebound better. Our defense and rebounding got better in the second half and when our defense is good, everything else clicks."

The Bearcats used a 17-4 run to take control, turning the game from 45-40 score with 13:31 left to a 62-44 cushion with 8:53 to go. The Bearcats were aided during the run by two technical fouls on Truman, as well as three-pointers from Brock and Wendell Mardis. SBU would out-score TSU in the second half 49-26 after leading at the break 32-31.

Truman (6-16, 1-14 MIAA) shot 50% from the field in the first half, but SBU responded in the second frame, holding the Bulldogs to 32% (8-for-25). SBU also forced Truman into 19 turnovers. SBU hit nine treys while TSU only hit one from long range.

Despite his 18 points, Rogers struggled during the first half. Guiot commented, 'Matt's got to be tough, whether double-teamed or not. In the second half, he was stronger with ball. He affected the game in other areas with his defense and with rebounding."

The Bearcats return home on Tuesday night when they take on Emporia State. On January 3, they defeated the Hornets 104-69 in Emporia with seven players in double figures. The Bearcats will look to extend their 26-game home court winning streak that began against the Hornets on February 24, 2007.

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