Bolivar, Mo. - The Southwest Baptist University men's basketball team put together a complete game against the Riverhawks of Northeastern State on Saturday evening in Bolivar claiming a 68-60 victory. The Bearcats used a stingy zone defense and were able to knock down clutch shots to keep the Riverhawks off balanced.

The game started out a close battle, with Northeastern State holding a slight lead for the first nine minutes of the game. The Riverhawks held their largest lead at six (9-15) with 12:28 to go in the first half before SBU went on a 14-1 run to take a 23-16 lead just two minutes later. The Riverhawks came back and tied the game up going into the half at 32-32.

In the second half the Riverhawks once again jumped out a slight lead, going up six (36-42) with 14:47 left in the game. SBU once again responded, going on a 13-0 run, to take a seven point lead (49-42) with 9:24 to go in the contest. The Bearcats maintained their lead, and pushed it as high as 14 (63-49), to cruise to a 68-60 victory. With the win SBU moves to 5-9 (3-3 MIAA) on the season while Northeastern State drops to 10-4 (3-3 MIAA).

Gilbert Gyamfi had a career high 22 points off of seven of eight shooting from the field to lead the Bearcats. Damion Hooks added 14 down low, while Preston Guiot had 13 points, including four clutch free throws to help maintain their double-digit lead late. The Bearcats out-rebounded the Riverhawks 36-28 while shooting 50.0% from the field and 47.4% from beyond the arc.

"It was a great win for our program," head coach Jeff Guiot stated after the game. "I thought we did a great job down the stretch executing.  Offensively we moved the ball, we got the ball inside and our post guys wanted it.  We were really aggressive on the offensive end.  This team is getting mentally tougher and tougher as the year goes on, and they are continuing to fight for forty minutes.  We continue to see them grow and play to their strengths.  Gilbert Gyamfi is getting better defensively and with his shot choices.  Our zone was also good tonight, and in the second half it was the difference in the game.  We are getting better and better and I feel like we can compete with any one in the conference right now."

SBU will be back in action on Wednesday, January 16 when they travel to Hays, Kansas to take on Fort Hays State. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m., after the conclusion of the women's game.