Southwest Baptist won the battle of Top 25’s on Tuesday with a 95-78 win over 17th ranked Central Missouri St. in Bolivar. The 7th-ranked Bearcats were without head coach Jeff Guiot, who was serving a one-game suspension as a result of his two technical fouls and subsequent ejection in Saturday’s loss at Northwest Missouri St. Guiot was accused of bumping an official. The suspension was handed down by the university.

Guiot’s absence didn’t seem to have any affect on his team, which hit 54 percent from the field and 65 percent in the second half. Sheldon Pace led the way for SBU (15-1/4-1 MIAA) with 20 points and an SBU-record 17 assists. Five players finished in double-digit scoring.

Michael Hinks paced the Mules (13-3/3-2) with 28 points.