(bearcatsports.com) JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri – Northwest Missouri State junior Ryan Hawkins scored 43 points and carried the No. 1-ranked Bearcats to an 87-53 road win over the Lincoln Blue Tigers at Jason Gym.

Northwest moved to 8-0 on the season, 1-0 in MIAA play, and extended its win streak to 46 in a row. Lincoln fell to 2-5 overall and 0-1 in MIAA play.

Hawkins tied for the second-most points scored ever by a Bearcat with his 43-point performance. Hawkins went 14-of-19 from the field and was 11-of-12 at the free throw line. Hawkins sank 4-of-7 from three-point range. He also added a team-best three steals. Hawkins scored 26 first-half points and built the Bearcats a 42-25 lead at the break at Lincoln.

The Bearcats shot 54.3 percent from the floor and buried 28-of-31 at the free throw line. Lincoln was held to 39.3 percent from the field and made only 5-of-8 free throws.

Diego Bernard was the only other Bearcat to reach double-figure scoring with 17 points. Bernard led all players with nine rebounds.

Northwest will travel to Warrensburg, Missouri, to take on the Central Missouri Mules on Saturday. Tip is set for 3 p.m. following the women’s game.