MARYVILLE, Mo. (Dec. 11, 2016) -- Second-ranked Northwest Missouri shot 53 percent from the field and made 16 three-pointers as they beat the Mules 76-57 on Sunday evening at Bearcat Arena.

The Mules (5-2, 1-1 MIAA) scored the first points of the game on a Marquiez Lawrence layup 90 seconds in to the game. That was the only lead of the game for UCM. Justin Pitts scored five straight points to put Northwest (9-0, 3-0 MIAA) in front for good. Lawrence scored on another layup to pull the Mules within 5-4, but six straight points put the Bearcats in front 11-4.

The Mules got back to within 11-8 on back to back layups from Erick Locke, but Northwest Missouri went on a 19-2 run and led 30-10 with 8:09 to play in the half. An 18-12 spurt for Northwest to close out the half made it 48-22 at intermission.

The Bearcats were cold from the field to start the second half, but the Mules couldn't put much of a dent in the lead. Northwest found its stride again midway through the frame and pushed the lead to as many as 33 before the Mules closed the game on a 17-3 run to finish at the 19-point final margin.

Lawrence led three Mules in double figures with 13 as the Mules finished 20 of 43 from the field for 47 percent. UCM made just 3 of 15 three-point attempts for 20 percent and they Mules were 14 of 20 from the line.

Spencer Reaves and DJ Richardson, in his first action of the season, both finished with 10 points.

Chris-Ebou Ndow led Northwest with game-highs 27 points and seven rebounds. He was 10 of 15 from the field, including seven made three-pointers. Pitts had 17 points and six assists. The Bearcats were 28 of 53 from the field for 53 percent and made 16 of 30 from beyond the arc for 53 percent.

UCM returns to action on Tuesday night hosting MidAmerica Nazarene at the Multi. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.