Box Score Bolivar, Mo. - The Southwest Baptist men's basketball team hosted Fort Hays State in a conference game Monday night at the Meyer Sports Center. The Bearcats entered the game with an 8-4 record and the Tigers brought in a strong 9-3 record into the contest. After jumping out to an early lead SBU saw themselves down 4 in a close conference matchup with the Tigers (50-44). The second half ended with the Tigers defeating the Bearcats 91-72, bringing the Tigers to 2-3 in conference while the Bearcats sit at 1-3.

The Bearcats started off the New Year fast as they took a quick lead 16-14 going into the first timeout. The Bearcats maintained the lead staying ahead by 4(24-20) at the 9:24 mark in the first half. Desi Barmore helped SBU stay with Fort Hays State 36-36 by leading the team with 9 points at the 4:33 mark in the first half. Derrick Stewart hit a three point buzzer beater and brought the Bearcats within six of Fort Hays State trailing 50-44 at halftime.

The Bearcats continued to fight as the Tigers increased their lead to 11 (64-53) at the midway point of the second half. As the game came to an end the Bearcats found themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard as they fell to the Tigers 91-72.

The SBU Bearcats had three players in double digits: Preston Guiot and Desi Barmore both had 11 points and Rashad Brown-Peterson had a team high 13 points. The Bearcats shot 42.1% from the field, 34.3% from beyond the arc, and 60% from the free throw line.

The Bearcats are back in action on the road Thursday January 9th, against Northeastern State University in a conference double header for the men and women basketball teams. The SBU women are set to tip off at 5:30 p.m. and the men will follow at 7:30 p.m. central standard time.