Four first round games on the men’s side kick-off of the MIAA Basketball Tournament.

#5 Northwest Missouri 66, #12 Missouri Western 46

Northwest Missouri hit 15 three-pointers as they picked up a first round victory in the MIAA Tournament. The Bearcats held Missouri Western to just 14 first half points and .350 shooting to advance to the quarterfinal round.

The career of long time Missouri Western Head Coach Tom Smith ended. Smith ends his career with 618 overall wins with 448 coming at Missouri Western.

Alex Sullivan led the Bearcats scoring 27 points and hitting eight three-pointers on the night. DeAngelo Hailey added 21 points and Matt Wallace dished out 11 assists. For the Griffons Cedric Clinkscales had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Reed Mells ad 10 points and Adarius Fulton dished a team best four assists.

The Bearcats advance to face Northeastern State at 2:15 p.m. on March 7 from Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.

#6 Central Oklahoma 103, #11 Southwest Baptist 89

Central Oklahoma scored 65 points in the first half as they sprinted to a first round victory in the MIAA Tournament. The Bronchos shot .600 percent as they knocked off a Southwest Baptist team that shot .530 to move on in tourney.

Josh Gibbs and Spencer Smith each had 18 points to lead the way for the Bronchos. Seth Heckert added 17 points, Jamell Cormier had 14 points and Christian Huffman finished with 12 points in the game.

The Bronchos will advance to face Washburn in the quarterfinals at 8:15 p.m. from Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.

#7 Pittsburg State 70, #10 Truman 62

Pittsburg State scored the final six points of the game as they put insurance on their one point lead with just 46 seconds to play. Pittsburg State erased an eight point Truman lead from early in the second half to move on in the tournament.

Kaleb Porter led the way for the Gorillas with 19 points JaVon McGee had 12 points and Marky Nolen finished with 11 points. Jake Bullard had a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds on the night. For the Bulldogs Mike Carlson led the way with a double-double scoring 22 points and pulling down 13 rebounds. Seth Jackson added 11 points and Tom Norton finished with 10 points.

The Gorillas advance to face Central Missouri at 6 p.m. on March 7 from Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.

#9 Missouri Southern 68, #8 Emporia State 66

Marquis Addison hit two free throws with two seconds to play as Missouri Southern knocked off Emporia State on the road. The Lions erased a ten-point halftime deficit to advance to the quarterfinals in the MIAA Tournament.

Jordan Talbert was the leading scorer on the night for the Lions with 16 points and seven rebounds. Marquis Addison had a double-double scoring 15 points and pulling down 11 rebounds. For the Hornets Chris Sights scored 15 points to lead the way. Terrence Moore scored 13 points and pulled down a team high six rebounds.

Missouri Southern will face top seeded Fort Hays State at 12 noon on March 7 from Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.