MARYVILLE, Mo. – The Northwest Missouri Bearcats held off a pesky Bulldog squad with a big late push to down Truman 65-47 to stay in first place in conference play. Truman had hung around most of the game but couldn't get over the hump as Northwest doubled up the Bulldogs 26-12 down the stretch.

Tyler Anderson's basket at the 13:48 mark edged the Bulldogs (4-9; 2-5 MIAA) to within four points at 39-35 as both team's relied on their defense to keep the game low scoring. Truman then had three straight possessions to climb even closer until De'Angelo Hailey went on a personal 7-2 run to build the lead back up to nine.

Kyle Haake would add a couple three-pointers late in the game to push the margin into double figures.

Both teams shot under 40% from the field.

Anderson finished with 10 points for Truman while Seth Jackson and Mike Carlson led the Bulldogs with 11 apiece. The Bulldogs were 2-of-16 from beyond the arc and struggled from the line going 13-of-25.

Haake led the Bearcats (12-1; 6-1 MIAA) with 14 points on four made three-pointers.

Truman will continue the three-game road swing with a visit to Missouri Western State University on Wednesday night in St. Joseph.