MIAA Tournament: Northwest Missouri, Central Missouri, Pitt State and Missouri Southern win quarterfinals
Top-seeded and regular-season champion Northwest Missouri advanced to the semifinals of the MIAA men’s basketball tournament with a 71-61 victory over Washburn in Thursday’s opening game at Municipal Auditorium.
MIAA freshman of the year Justin Pitts led the Bearcats with a game-high 25 points. Washburn was held to 35- percent shooting from the field.
The Bearcats will face fifth-seeded Pittsburg State at noon Saturday.
Central Missouri 67, Central Oklahoma 66
Second-seeded Central Missouri used a strong night of shooting from the field to top No. 7 Central Oklahoma.
The Mules’ Kyle Wolf scored 25 points and was seven of eight from beyond the three-point line. As a team, Central Missouri shot .511 from the field.
Central Missouri will face defending tournament champion Missouri Southern at 2:15 p.m. Saturday in the semifinals.
Pittsburg State 74, Lindenwood 55
The Gorillas got 15 points from Devon Branch and 13 each from Dakota Jones and Trevor Gregory. They overcame a 20-point, 10-rebound game from the Lions’ Cory Arentsen.
Missouri Southern 97, Nebraska-Kearney 88
Taevaunn Prince posted a double-double with 26 points and a game-high 16 rebounds for the Lions.
MIAA men’s tournament schedule
At Municipal Auditorium
Thursday’s quarterfinals
(1) Northwest Missouri 71, (8) Washburn 61
(5) Pittsburg State 74, (4) Lindenwood 55
(2) Central Missouri 67, (7) Central Oklahoma 66
(3) Missouri Southern 97, (6) Nebraska-Kearney 88
Saturday’s semifinals
(1) Northwest Missouri vs. (5) Pittsburg State, noon
(2) Central Missouri vs. (3) Missouri Southern, 2:15 p.m.
Sunday’s championship
Semifinal winners, 1 p.m.
MIAA women’s tournament schedule
At Municipal Auditorium
Friday’s quarterfinals
(1) Fort Hays State vs. (9) Northeastern State, noon
(4) Missouri Southern vs. (5) Central Missouri, 2:15 p.m.
(2) Emporia State vs. (7) Missouri Western, 6 p.m.
(3) Pittsburg State vs. (6) Central Oklahoma, 8:15 p.m.
Saturday’s semifinals
Fort Hays State-Northeastern State winner vs. Missouri Southern-Central Missouri winner, 6 p.m.
Emporia State-Missouri Western winner vs. Pittsburg State-Central Oklahoma winner, 8:15 p.m.
Sunday’s championship
Semifinal winners, 3:30 p.m.
This story was originally published March 5, 2015 at 2:37 PM with the headline "MIAA Tournament: Northwest Missouri, Central Missouri, Pitt State and Missouri Southern win quarterfinals."