KANSAS CITY, Missouri – The No. 1-ranked Northwest Missouri State Bearcat men’s basketball team advanced to the semifinals of the 2020 MIAA Tournament with a 75-54 triumph over the Lincoln Blue Tigers at Municipal Auditorium.

Northwest extended its win streak to 21 straight games and moved to 29-1 on the season. Lincoln completes its season at 11-19 overall.

Senior Ryan Hawkins led the way with a game-high 31 points. Hawkins tallied 21 first-half points and added 10 in the second half. Hawkins went 11-of-17 from the field, including 4-of-7 from three-point range. Hawkins sank all five of his free throw attempts. Hawkins was credited with a game-high nine rebounds.

Sophomores Trevor Hudgins and Diego Bernard joined Hawkins in double-figure scoring. Hudgins posted 14 points and was 4-of-6 from three-point range. Bernard was 6-of-8 from the field and dished out a game-high five assists.

The Bearcats will play in the semifinals on Saturday at 6 p.m. against the winner of the Washburn-Missouri Western contest that takes place on Friday.