Both teams traded points through the first few minutes as the game was tied at five at the 17 minute mark. Southern (10-4, 4-1 MIAA) went cold and Northwest (10-4, 2-3 MIAA) took advantage and went on a quick 8-2 run to take a six point lead after a three pointer from Lance Sullivan.

Octavius Hawkins then put the Lions on his back and for the second-straight game, had an outstanding first half. The senior scored 12 points on 5-6 shooting from the field. Tony Webb hit a three pointer in the closing seconds to cut the Bearcat lead to just one at the half (37-36).

A layup from TJ Britton gave the Lions a one-point lead (38-37) to start the second half. Northwest, however, would re-take the lead and the advantage grew to five at the ten minute mark (56-51) after a Hunter Henry jumper.

Bowlin then caught fire. Three straight three's from the freshman gave the Lions a 60-58 lead at the 8:31 mark. The Bearcats took another lead four minutes later (68-67), but Southern went on an 8-0 run as free throws from Tyler Ryerson and Vincent Ateba, as well as another three pointer from Bowlin (his fourth of the half), made the score 75-68 with 1:23 left. Ryerson, Webb and Hawkins went a perfect 6-6 from the free-throw line in the final minute to lead the Lions to the win.

Bowlin led four players in double figures with 17 points. Hawkins and Ateba both scored 16 as Ateba added 11 rebounds. Webb scored 12. The Lions shot 57 percent from the field.

With the win from the women earlier in the night, the Southern men's and women's teams swept Northwest Missouri on the road for the first time since February 19, 2005. The Lions move to 4-1 and are tied with Southwest Baptist for first place in the MIAA. Both teams will face off this Saturday as the Lions welcome the Bearcats to the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center for a 7:30 pm tip off.