Box Score Bolivar, Mo. - The Southwest Baptist men's basketball team hosted William Woods University of the American Midwest Conference in a non-conference game Thursday night at the Meyer Sports Center. The Bearcats play in the paint got off to a steady start as SBU jumped out to a 14-6 lead going into the first media timeout. The Bearcats held the advantage at the half 41-38 and held on in the second half, forcing 11 turnovers on the night, to help the bearcats take down the Owls 83-74.

The SBU Men took the lead early on, only to let William Woods claw its way back into the game   halfway through the first half. Starting off the game with another strong performance and helping anchor the SBU offense, Desi Barmore helped keep SBU in this close battle. The Bearcats had a marginal 20-17 lead with 9:36 left to play in the first half. The Bearcats responded and stretched the lead to 10 points (39-29) due to some timely three point field goals by Derek Stewart with 2:56 remaining in the first half. The defense held its ground against a late half push from the Owls going into the half up 41-38.

SBU started the second half steady, staying right with the William Woods through the first 5 minutes. As the game pressed on SBU began to slowly increase their lead as SBU led 62-55 with 9:46 remaining in the second half.  The Bearcats saw its first double-digit lead of the second half going into the third media timeout with 4:42 left to play. The Bearcats began their first win streak of the season with back to back wins as they grinded to an 83-74 victory.
Junior Desi Barmore dazzled the crowd in Meyer Sports Center as he led the Bearcats with a career high 33 points shooting 14-19 from the floor and 5-6 from the free throw line. Menas Stephens had a game high 10 rebounds on the night. The Bearcats forced the Owls to commit 11 turnovers, while shooting 51.6% from the field, 25.0% from beyond the arc, and 61.9% from the free throw line.

The Bearcats are back in action on Saturday, November 23 as they are headed north to compete against the Maryville University Saints in St. Louis Missouri. The SBU Men are set to tip off at 3:00 p.m. central standard time.