Box score | Season stats

BOLIVAR, Mo. -- The SBU Bearcats used a 47-25 edge on the boards and earned a hard fought 73-65 victory over the Truman Bulldogs. Ryan Dougherty led the Bearcats with career highs in both points (18) and rebounds (10), while Tomas Brock had 17 points for SBU (19-5, 10-4). Kurt Koenig had a career and team high 12 rebounds to go along with 11 points, while Ivan Cropotov tied his career high with 14 points. Freshman Jacob French had a career high 10 rebounds.
 
"We wanted to focus on rebounding in this game, which has been our Achilles heel all season," said head coach Jeff Guiot. "Ryan stepped up with a double-double. French also played well and gave us some good minutes and crashed the boards. (Stephen) Cotten and Ivan (Cropotov) had off games but our team was able to step up." The Bearcats played their second contest without All-American Matt Rogers, who is out a few weeks while rehabilitating a knee injury.
 
SBU used a 12-3 run late in the first half to push the lead to the largest (13) of the game. The Bearcats led 35-22 at halftime. Truman closed the margin to four points in the second half before the Bearcats would extend the lead again to 12 points. The Bulldogs (4-18, 2-13 MIAA) got to within six points in the final minute but free throws from Brock would seal the victory.
 
Truman was led by Vesko Filchev with 17 points and 10 rebounds. SBU shot 40% from the floor but just 21% from outside. The Bulldogs were also at 40% from the floor and 26% from outside. The Bearcats shot 83% from the foul line compared to 61% for Truman.
 
SBU goes back on the road next week as they travel to Emporia, Kan. on Wednesday evening. The game with the Hornets begins at 7:30 p.m.